Six out of seven staff at a nursery in southern England refused to get inoculated after being offered the Covid jab
- Six out of seven staff at a nursery offered a jab refused to accept their dose
- The nursery staff were mistakenly offered the jab last week – just one accepted
- Staff, including some from South Asia, Bulgaria and Romania, refused the jab
Six out of seven staff at a nursery school who were offered jabs declined to be vaccinated.
Workers at the nursery in southern England were mistakenly offered jabs last week – but just one took up the offer.
The other employees – including childcare workers from South Asia, Bulgaria and Romania – are understood to have refused the vaccine, some of them on religious grounds.
The revelation will fuel fears about lower take-up of the jab among ethnic minority groups.
Six out of seven staff at a nursery school who were offered jabs declined to be vaccinated. Workers at the nursery in southern England were mistakenly offered jabs last week – but just one took up the offer (stock image)
A recent poll of 2,000 adults by the Royal Society for Public Health found that 76 per cent of people overall would willingly have a Covid vaccination – but only 57 per cent of those from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, has spoken of ‘genuine and deep concern’ that vaccination rates may be lower among such groups.
Last month, it emerged that while 80 per cent of staff overall at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London had been vaccinated, the rate was only around 25 per cent among black African and Caribbean staff, and even lower for Filipino workers.
It comes after dozens of school leaders have urged the Government to vaccinate all teachers as they supported plans for children to return to the classroom from March.
It comes after dozens of school leaders have urged the Government to vaccinate all teachers as they supported plans for children to return to the classroom from March (stock image)
Some 135 headteachers, mostly from independent schools, signed a letter calling for staff from all educational settings to be vaccinated.
They said they were heartened by the progress of the vaccination programme and encouraged that the Government’s target of 15 million first doses by February 15 is ‘likely to be reached’.
In the letter, coordinated by William Goldsmith, headmaster of St George’s School Windsor Castle, they said: ‘This is saving lives, bringing light to a dark period for many and giving hope that pupils will be back in their schools without any further delay.
‘To support this mission, we urge the Government to vaccinate all teachers and school staff, along with other priority groups of workers.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson (pictured) has insisted that it is ‘prudent’ to stick to the planned March 8 opening date for schools in England, stating that the proposed date was three weeks after the most vulnerable should have been vaccinated
‘The emotional and social wellbeing of young people is a significant concern to us, and every day we see the need for pupils to be in school; with each hour that passes the need to be back with their peers and teachers grows stronger.
‘Teachers have demonstrated that they are ready for the challenge ahead; without neglecting anyone’s safety, reopening schools from March 8 should be the priority under any circumstance.’
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted that it is ‘prudent’ to stick to the planned March 8 opening date for schools in England, stating that the proposed date was three weeks after the most vulnerable should have been vaccinated.