Staff at Suffolk SEN school to receive COVID-19 vaccine

A SEN school in Suffolk has been told that all 100 members of staff are to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Bridge School in Ipswich has 160 children aged 4-16, most of whom do not understand the concept of social distancing. Staff say that stopping the children from touching or being in close proximity with others would be emotionally very difficult for them and would do real damage to their mental health.

Many of the children have medical conditions, some of which are breathing-related conditions, meaning that catching the virus could have a devastating impact on their health.

The school has said that the county council showed ‘true leadership’ in prioritising their staff to receive the vaccine and were a ‘shining a light for the rest of the country’.

Around the country, local authorities have been looking at the risks in special schools and are trying to get as many SEN school staff vaccinated as possible.