Unvaccinated pregnant teachers can ‘safely’ return to classroom

Unvaccinated pregnant teachers and special needs assistants can safely return to the classroom when schools reopen, according to the Department of Education.

The revised public health advice – which was changed last month – has sparked controversy among teachers’ unions who say it will expose vulnerable staff members to Covid-19.

However, officials told unions and education stakeholders in private meetings on Wednesday that the change in public health advice was based on advice developed by Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, public health specialists and occupational health specialists.

A department spokesman said following the meeting that this HSE guidance for the education sector confirms that pregnant staff can safely attend the workplace in school where all the infection prevention and control measures are in place.

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“This is the case whether or not the pregnant teacher or special needs assistant has been vaccinated,” said the spokesman.

Teachers’ unions, however, are calling on the department to allow unvaccinated pregnant teachers to be allowed work from home until they are immunised fully.

They say many pregnant teachers are worried about exposure to the virus in crowded classrooms in the early weeks of pregnancy when the school year resumes.

Some teachers say they are prepared to take sick leave or early maternity leave rather than return to the classroom.

Unions estimate that up to 1,600 pregnant staff due back in the classroom are either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, but these numbers will fall over the coming weeks.

‘Tense’ meeting

Pregnant women are advised to take the vaccine between 14 and 36 weeks of their pregnancy.

One individual described the atmosphere at the meeting between department officials and union representatives on Wednesday as “tense”.

“The issue of pregnant teachers and other teachers not yet eligible for a vaccine was put frankly to the department with demands that the department and Minister address these issues directly in the public domain,” said the source.

A department spokesman said all pregnant employees are being advised to apply to the occupational health services before the end of their first trimester. They should do this so their individual medical circumstances can be assessed in the context of Covid-19.

Under the new rules, those underlying medical conditions may be categorised as “very high risk” and may be facilitated to work from home.

Teachers and special needs assistants in special education settings – where virus transmission rates are higher – who are categorised as “high risk” following 14 weeks gestation may also be facilitated to work outside of the special education classroom.

A spokesman said medical evidence, including reports from treating consultants as well as vaccination status of employees, will be considered by occupational health services when they undergo health risk assessments.