While some teachers gain priority shots, Federation fights for all

Teachers in lockdown LGAs gain priority vaccination slots – Federation vows to continue efforts to achieve the prioritisation of ALL teachers in the vaccination roll-out.

Teachers in the state’s locked down LGAs and suburbs have finally been given priority COVID vaccination spots, a year after Federation first called on government to consider teachers as front-line workers during the pandemic.

Eligible primary, secondary and early childhood staff can now obtain a priority vaccination appointment this week – Monday 16 to Sunday 22 August – with the Pfizer or Astra Zeneca vaccines, depending on eligibility.

Eligible teachers are those living in the Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta and Strathfield local government areas and 12 Penrith suburbs of Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys.

Federation first made representations to government in August last year, and has consistently called for teachers to be classified alongside other professions as priority workers for vaccination purposes.

Despite the gain for locked down LGAs, Federation will continue to insist all teachers in NSW be given priority access for vaccination.

President Angelo Gavrielatos said that throughout the pandemic, every action of Federation has been informed by its responsibility to protect, as far as possible, the health and safety of its members and school communities.

“Respectful of science and health advice, we have insisted on the consistent application of health advice and restrictions across all settings, including schools, in affected areas,” Mr Gavrielatos said.

“Given the highly contagious, transmissible and dangerous nature of the Delta variant, and the substantial risk posed to unvaccinated populations, Federation recognises that vaccinations are key to successfully managing our way out of the pandemic.”

To book an appointment, eligible teachers can go to the NSW Government website and follow the instructions provided.

Federation provides the latest advice and updates on the COVID FAQ pages on our website.