Shadow Schools Minister and Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan has pressed the government to offer every 12 – 15 year old a vaccine to help limit rising covid absences.
At education questions in the House of Commons, Mr Morgan pointed out that the government missed its own target to offer every child a vaccine by October half term.
He then pressed: “What is the Minister’s target now and when does he plan to meet it?”
The latest figures reveal that 46 per cent of 12 – 15 year olds are yet to receive a first dose of the Covid vaccine.
On 20 January, 415,000 children were off school due to Covid while a quarter of schools had 15% of their teachers and leaders off work.
Shadow Schools Minister Stephen Morgan MP said:
“Children and school staff are still living the day-to-day reality of covid, but this government doesn’t have a plan to support them.
“We know vaccines are key to keeping children in class learning together, yet almost half haven’t had a first dose and rates are falling.
“Ministers must redouble their efforts to encourage vaccine uptake in this age group and tackle dangerous disinformation to drive down covid-related absences.”
