OT Covid priority groups

[ramAnag]

It's a difficult enough task as it is, without the NHS having to find out what everyone's occupation is, before deciding who gets the vaccine first.

How would you collate everyone's occupations onto a data base?

I’ve no idea, Ram...no idea how to make a vaccine either and fortunately for everyone it won’t be my responsibility.

Such collation has taken place before though. During the fuel crisis of the very early 2000’s (I think) both my wife and I were, along with many others, described as ‘essential workers’ and provided with County Council documentation entitling and enabling us to buy petrol so we could continue to attend work.

It’s only really an extension of that process and in the case of NHS workers, teachers and supermarket workers at least the institutions obviously already exist where mass vaccination COULD possibly take place with safe checking of ‘occupational entitlement.’

I’m not making a case for teachers on the basis of favouritism, but just because it’s an environment I understand. Teachers are at risk...someone very close to me indeed has today been told that she has to immediately self isolate for the next ten days because a child in her class has tested positive. Like it or not most teachers have spent the last 14 weeks or so in very close and protracted proximity to large groups of young people. They need the protection of the vaccine, as do the other groups I’ve spoken of. Unlike the Government I’m not entering a ‘me first’ competition but it does need looking at.

[Andy_Faber]

I’ve no idea, Ram...no idea how to make a vaccine either and fortunately for everyone it won’t be my responsibility.

Such collation has taken place before though. During the fuel crisis of the very early 2000’s (I think) both my wife and I were, along with many others, described as ‘essential workers’ and provided with County Council documentation entitling and enabling us to buy petrol so we could continue to attend work.

It’s only really an extension of that process and in the case of NHS workers, teachers and supermarket workers at least the institutions obviously already exist where mass vaccination COULD possibly take place with safe checking of ‘occupational entitlement.’

I’m not making a case for teachers on the basis of favouritism, but just because it’s an environment I understand. Teachers are at risk...someone very close to me indeed has today been told that she has to immediately self isolate for the next ten days because a child in her class has tested positive. Like it or not most teachers have spent the last 14 weeks or so in very close and protracted proximity to large groups of young people. They need the protection of the vaccine, as do the other groups I’ve spoken of. Unlike the Government I’m not entering a ‘me first’ competition but it does need looking at.

But going down the age groups saves the most lives

[ramAnag]

But going down the age groups saves the most lives

Possibly. Although I’m not sure how, for instance, a 65-75 year old who obeys the social distancing rules is at greater risk than a 45 year old who works in Tesco or spends all day in a school with a room full of te-enagers.

I’m not really arguing with the age thing...just suggesting there might be other considerations. Isn’t that why NHS workers were originally in the first ‘cohort’ for vaccination?

[Andy_Faber]

Possibly. Although I’m not sure how, for instance, a 65-75 year old who obeys the social distancing rules is at greater risk than a 45 year old who works in Tesco or spends all day in a school with a room full of te-enagers.

I’m not really arguing with the age thing...just suggesting there might be other considerations. Isn’t that why NHS workers were originally in the first ‘cohort’ for vaccination?

Sorry it was a quick response - they are, and care home workers, and quite rightly - directly responsible for saving the lives of those most likely to die (Covid sufferers and the elderly). I saw my mum for the first time yesterday and the carer who accompanied her had her first vaccine jab that morning - good for her, I don't know her and I was pleased for her.