TUI expresses concerns over return to workplaces of pregnant teachers who cannot be vaccinated yet 

By piofficer, Friday, 13th August 2021 | 0 comments

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has expressed its concern over the return to workplaces of pregnant teachers who cannot yet be offered the same vaccination protection as all of their colleagues. The information was set out in a circular letter issued by the Department of Education this week.   

Speaking today, TUI President Martin Marjoram said:  

‘Pregnancy can be a stressful time and pregnant teachers have the significant added worry and anxiety of returning to crowded schools and classrooms.   

TUI has a particular concern over the cohort for whom the timing of their pregnancy precludes them from being vaccinated, as they have been advised that they should not receive a vaccine until they are at least 14 weeks pregnant.   

Their return to face-to-face teaching is a departure from the last school year, when pregnant teachers were able to work remotely, and this small group of unvaccinated pregnant teachers should be facilitated to work remotely if they wish until they have the same opportunity as their colleagues to acquire significant vaccine protection.   

We have already set out our serious concerns in several engagements with the Department and will continue to seek to have this fundamental unfairness addressed.’   
 

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