Could schools close due to mandatory vaccination for teachers?
According to a recent coronavirus-related measure which was introduced by the Hungarian government, healthcare workers, teachers and educators have to be vaccinated. If they fail to do so, they have to take a compulsory leave of absence otherwise their work will be suspended. Trade unions have been organising strikes against mandatory vaccination for teachers.
Compulsory vaccination for employees in education
According to Telex, the initial deadline to abide by this new regulation was 15 December, but the government has extended this period. Unvaccinated teachers and employees working in education have been warned this Monday to take the jab until the 30th of December. Otherwise, they will not be abe to return to work from the 3rd of January.
There are many individulas who do not agree with this measure. Last Saturday, residents in Devecser have organised demonstrations to side by teachers who refuse to take the vaccine.
Additionally, Telex reports that both the Teachers’ Union (PSZ) and Teacher’s Democratic Union (PDSZ) will organise strikes on the 31st of January to call the Government’s attention to the need to raise teachers’ pay as well as to dismiss the mandatory vaccination measure.
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The unions said that they would likely hold a strike only during the first two lessons of the class schedule, during which children are advised not to attend school, but they would also organise another strike in March that may last for days if necessary.
According to Péter Horváth, the chairman of the National Faculty of Education, it is expected that about 5-6% of teachers will not take the vaccine.
While this number does not seem that high, Index wrote that some schools would not be able to operate from the 3rd of January due to lack of teaching staff.
The leader of the teachers’ unions, Zsuzsa Szabó highlighted that some schools may only provide childcare from January as classes cannot be held when there is a dramatic shortage of specialists.
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Next step: mandatory vaccination for students?
Just a few days ago, the Semmelweis University of Medicine and Health Sciences posted on their Facebook page that students are required to take the booster jab in order to continue their studies.
“As a healthcare student, we come into contact with patients on a daily basis during our internships and volunteer work, so we need to protect not only ourselves and our families, but all Hungarian people to whom we commit to serve with our professional knowledge,” – the statement stressed.
The deadline for taking the booster jab is the 1st of February, Vg reported.
The jab is offered without appointment for all students of the Semmelweis University at any of the three university vaccination points.
Students are exempt from the deadline if:
- they received their second jabs (or first in the case of single dose vaccines) within 180 days
- those who recovered from Covid infection less than 3 months ago
- students who medically prove that they cannot receive the vaccine.
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Source: telex.hu, index.hu, vg.hu, facebook.com
I don’t believe that a significant number of teachers will refuse vaccination.