Concerns raised over unvaccinated pupils as schools prepare to re-open

The re-opening of schools is a high priority for the Government.

Medical experts have expressed their concerns about unvaccinated children returning to school this September. UCC Professor Gerry Killeen believes more children should have been vaccinated in time for the new school term. "We know that long Covid rates amongst children are in the region of 7 to 8 percent, a minimum of 4 percent, and you know 4 percent might be a small proportion of a very large number of kids in the country and children rely on us as adults to make the right decisions to look after them and I just think those are the decisions we've got wrong over the summer.” It is understood a quarter of 12-15-year-olds are vaccinated. 65% of 16-17-year-olds have at least one dose of the vaccine. However, the vaccine has not been made available to primary school children yet. CMO Tony Holohan has urged the public to remain cautious as society continues to open up. "The Delta variant has enabled Covid-19 to regain a foothold in Ireland, which puts us all at risk as social contacts and mobility increase. We are closely monitoring the spread of the virus with some concern." "Please get vaccinated as soon as a vaccine is offered to you. It is also very important that people receive their second dose of vaccine as soon as you are called to do so." He explained: "You will be fully protected one or two weeks after your second dose, depending on which vaccine you have received." The Government is due to announce the next steps of the re-opening on August 31. According to The Irish Times, schools and colleges will be the main priority. They reported: "Government sources stressed that the reopening of schools and colleges will be the priority in September." It is believed students in secondary schools will be expected to wear masks. However, primary and pre-school pupils will not.