Teacher Faseega Solomon from Manenberg High in Cape Town was stabbed.
Gallo Pictures/Brenton Gitch
- WHO and UNICEF have called for priority vaccinations for teachers and school staff.
- These agencies also urge vaccinations for people over 12 years of age with underlying diseases.
- The WHO described the pandemic as “the most catastrophic destruction of education in history.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF said on Monday that teachers and school staff should be the first group to be vaccinated against Covid-19 so that schools in Europe and Central Asia can remain open.
The UN agency wrote in a statement that measures to ensure schools remain open throughout the pandemic “include the provision of Covid-19 vaccine to teachers and other school staff as part of the target population in the national vaccination plan”.
The statement said that the recommendation has been put forward by the WHO expert team before the launch of vaccination in November 2020, and should be implemented “while ensuring that vulnerable groups are vaccinated.”
With schools reopening after the summer vacation, these institutions stated that although the more contagious delta virus is spreading, “it is vital that classroom learning remains undisturbed.”
Hans Kruger, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said in a statement: “This is essential for children’s education, mental health and social skills, and for schools to help our children become happy and productive members of society.”
He added: “The pandemic has caused the most catastrophic damage in history.”
These agencies urge countries to vaccinate children over 12 years of age whose underlying diseases put them at greater risk of severe Covid-19 disease.
It also reviewed the importance of measures to improve the school environment during the pandemic, including improving ventilation, reducing class sizes, maintaining social distancing, and conducting regular Covid testing for children and staff.
According to recommendations issued by the WHO in early July, high-risk children with Covid-19 symptoms should be tested as a priority.
