Push to use schools in mass vax before they become ‘superspreader hubs’
With schools at risk of becoming ‘superspreader hubs’ when huge numbers of unvaccinated kids return this month a call has been made to open them up for mass vaccinations. VOTE IN THE POLL
Schools risk becoming “superspreader hubs” as teachers look certain to mingle with huge numbers of unvaccinated kids when classes resume this month, a leading union has warned.
The Independent Education Union, which represents more than 17,000 teachers and staff in private schools, has called on mass Covid vaccination hubs to be established at schools as a matter of priority when term one begins.
Following comments made by Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier this week that schools would “go back and stay back” at the end of the month, IEU Queensland secretary Terry Burke said protecting staff and students from a massive surge in Covid infections was critical.
“Our schools are one of the rare workplaces where a person is likely to be exposed to so many unvaccinated people and for such long periods of time,” he said.
“This has the potential to create superspreader hubs.”
From Monday, almost half a million Queensland children aged 5 to 11 years old will be eligible to receive their first Pfizer vaccine. But with eight weeks recommended between doses, the majority of primary school children will not be fully vaccinated until at least March.
The Prime Minister said on Wednesday the supply and distribution of doses was on track, and said getting kids back to school was “very important”.
He also said “there are enough vaccines in the country to vaccinate every single child 5 to 11 between now and school going back”, contrary to rising cases of parents being unable to find appointments.
National cabinet agreed the target was for schools to come back on day one of term one, with the rollout of the jab to young children a major pillar.
The Prime Minister also said states were “moving quickly” to formulate detailed plans on how to ensure the safe return of schools.
Mr Burke said the situation in Queensland was “vastly different to the one we were in at the end of the 2021 school year”, and that vaccination hubs at school would be key in getting children vaccinated quickly.
“This is a tried and effective way of delivering a large-scale vaccination program into the school-age community,” Mr Burke said. “All our schools need is the plan, the vaccinations and the practitioners to deliver the vaccination; they will do the rest.”
LNP Education spokesman Christian Rowan said the state government must ensure online learning options were available where needed, given the evolving public health circumstances.
“Queenslanders should continue to get vaccinated, including eligible students and children taking up that opportunity, in conjunction with their parents,” he said.
