Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all know about the pending Covid vaccines, which are very welcome. They are not a panacea and there is a long road ahead, but I am cautiously optimistic. I see them as, it is to be hoped, a pathway to the rejuvenation of the economy and some sort of normal life.

Those who are vulnerable and front-line workers will be the first to be vaccinated, but we should have a proper debate on whether teachers should be included as a priority when the vaccine is rolled out. We have to acknowledge the huge amount of work they have done since September to keep our schools open and provide some sort of normality. There is a low incidence rate in schools, but teachers are at the front line and should be given priority when it comes to the roll-out of a vaccine. As we know, we will be given a limited supply of it.

I was worried yesterday when Dr. Ronan Glynn remarked that this is the first time in history that anti-vaccine campaigns are being organised before a vaccine is available. This is extremely worrying. We are already seeing large amounts of disinformation and it is incumbent on us as policymakers and public representatives to ensure that facts are relayed to the public to counter disinformation about vaccines.We must remember that vaccines work and have saved millions of lives around the world.