Covid-19 vaccination: Mandatory jabs for teachers on cards amid expansion to school vax program

The teachers’ union says it’s not against compulsory Covid vaccinations for staff, after confirmation the measure was being investigated amid a huge jab push in schools.

The teachers’ union is not opposed to mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for teachers, after authorities confirmed the measure was being investigated amid a massive push of vaccines in schools.

The Australian Education Union said it has supported the health advice of medical professionals throughout the pandemic.

“We encourage eligible members to get vaccinated,” SA branch president Lara Golding said.

“If the health advice changes to mandate vaccinations, we would consider the implications for our members and seek to consult with our members as much as practicable.”

The Heights School students McKenzie Walden and Mohammad Zainal get set for Covid-19 vaccinations to be made available in SA schools. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Ms Golding said the union had sent a list of questions to the department to ask about implications on the teaching workforce if vaccines were to be mandated.

“We have been analysing the legal and industrial precedents set in other states and in other industries,” she said.

But she said not yet been provided with any details or modelling on the proposal, or any data on how many teachers have already been vaccinated.

Professor Nicola Spurrier signs autographs and speaks to students at The Heights School in Modbury Heights after announcing a massive expansion of Covid vaccination hubs at schools. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Speaking at The Heights School, Modbury Heights, on Monday, Premier Steven Marshall and chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier revealed the possibility of mandatory jabs for teachers was being explored.

Senior government sources had last week downplayed such a move on “health advice”. But Professor Spurrier – who, along with the Premier, was mobbed by students seeking selfie pictures and autographs – said: “It is definitely something that we are looking at.

“It’s every child’s right to an education. It’s not something that is non-essential.

“So, in my eyes, it’s like healthcare (or) central service. We have to think through all of the pros and cons of going down that path.

“And we’re in the process of doing just that. We’re also looking at what other states have done in that regard.”

Mr Marshall said authorities were “loath to introduce anything mandatory” outside of national cabinet rules or specific health advice.

“Now I know that we have been looking at our schools,” he said. “I don’t have anything to report... but very happy to look at that more closely in the future.”

More than 34,000 students and teachers will have access to a Covid-19 vaccine after the state government on Monday announced a major expansion of school vaccines.

The schools push comes as hundreds of healthcare workers were stood down for not having had their jab by the November 1 deadline. SA Health figures showed a surge of health staff getting their first jab in on time.

Business SA also has called for workers in other industries, such as hospitality, to be made to get the Covid vaccination.

Mr Marshall said the number of schools with pop-up clinics would swell by 54 to almost 80 teenagers older than 12 and staff by the end of the term.

Locations were given priority vulnerable communities and council zones with lower vaccination rates across Adelaide and regional towns.

The push, which emerged a day after Labor called for a boost in school vaccinations, came after more than 30,000 doses were allocated to 24 campuses across SA.

Federal data shows SA has among the country’s worst double-jab rate of teenagers aged 12 to 15.

SA’s chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier high-fives school students at The Heights School. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The schools push comes as hundreds of healthcare workers were stood down for not having had their jab by the November 1 deadline. SA Health figures showed a surge of health staff getting their first jab in on time.

The Opposition has raised concerns about a lack of plans when borders reopen on November 23, shortly before the end of the state school term on December 10.

An SA Health spokeswoman said Covid-19 vaccination was only mandatory for healthcare and police workers at this stage “as they are working as our first line of defence”.

The transition committee meets on Tuesday, a week after signing off the road map.

Modelling that underpinned decisions was released on Monday, showing far fewer cases and deaths as originally feared.