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By Rachel Lawler

The Alliance has called on the government to offer the early years sector “real assurance” that they will be given priority access to coronavirus vaccines after false reports that they were eligible circulated last week.

Many providers were able to book and receive their first dose of the vaccine after the self-referral scheme was opened-up to social care workers on 11 February.

Some NHS operators mistakenly told providers that this phase of the roll out included those working in early years settings and allowed them to book appointments. But while some were able to attend appointments last week, others have been turned away when arriving at vaccination centres.

The government has since confirmed that to qualify for a vaccine as a social care worker, an individual would need to currently be providing face-to-face care or support to children or adults who are clinically extremely vulnerable to Covid-19.

Carers for clinically extremely vulnerable
As it stands, clinically extremely vulnerable children are not able to attend early years settings and so the vast majority of those working in the early years would not be eligible for vaccinations at this time on the basis of their occupation.

The government has added that: "In most cases people who are eligible, those who provide face to face care or support children or adults who are extremely vulnerable, should be contacted directly by their employer and been given a letter to say they are eligible."

The Department for Education has advised that: "If you wrongly booked an appointment as you don’t fit the above criteria, you will be turned away at the vaccination service, so please cancel your booking so that someone in the eligible cohort doesn’t miss out on an appointment."

The Alliance is urgently seeking clarification on what providers who have received their first dose of the vaccine should do now.

Heart-breaking disappointment
Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Alliance, commented: "It is heart-breaking to see such disappointment in the sector following false reports that the early years workforce was eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. Unfortunately, when self-referral opened to social care workers, many practitioners were incorrectly told they could book, even through official channels such as the 119 helpline or their local council.

"Still more confusing for staff in the sector was that different policies were adopted by local vaccination centres, some of which honoured pre-booked appointments, while others initially administered jabs before later reversing this decision.

"Throughout the pandemic, the early years workforce has walked an impossible tightrope between doing their utmost to care for and educate young children who cannot socially distance, and protecting themselves, their colleagues and their own, sometimes vulnerable, families. Their readiness to book these appointments, which they did in good faith, is a mark of just how concerned they are for their own and their loved ones’ safety. 

"The sector does not need false hope or mixed messages. It deserves a real assurance from this government that they will be given priority access to the vaccine, at the earliest possible moment, so they can carry out their vital roles without fear."

Find out more
Covid vaccinations and early years providers: an Alliance FAQ
Alliance, NDNA and PACEY issue joint statement on vaccines