Commenting as the vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi announces that the majority of children will not be eligible for the Covid vaccine, with only those at very high risk offered it, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Parents and school leaders alike will want to understand the rationale and scientific evidence that underpins the decision not to vaccinate children. The idea that they are less affected by Covid is demonstrably untrue given the massive disruption to their education over the last year, and also the worrying levels of long Covid in young people.

“The number of children off school actually sick with Covid is increasing, so disruption and missed education looks set to continue unless some action is taken to prevent transmission in schools. Vaccination decisions are ultimately for medical professionals to make, but the government does need to be clear about their reasoning to reassure families that this is the right course.”