Returning to school
Mask-wearing, third vaccines for tamariki and second-boosters for parents...
Many Awhi parents sent their tamariki back to school today after a two-week school holiday break. We asked the community what would be helpful for Awhi to do to support them in returning to school.
We’re hearing communication around mask-wearing in schools is a little bit patchy. We thought it might be useful for parents to be provided with a script to send to their principal, SENCO and/or Board of Trustees.
We encourage parents of children who are not immunocompromised or have disabilities to also stand up for their communities and use these scripts if they feel advice on mask wearing has not been clear enough.
Kia ora […],
To keep disabled and immunocompromised tamariki safe this term, we request that the school mandates mask wearing in all indoor settings for students in Years 4 and above.
Please email parents to say mask wearing is mandated by the school for all tamariki Years 4 and above.
We ask that you provide an updated mask-wearing policy that enforces mask wearing as you would sun hat and sunblock rules.
Wearing masks in schools has always been strongly recommended within the orange alert level setting. We ask that the school keep our most vulnerable tamariki safe by making this clear and mandating mask use.
Regards […]
Third vaccination dose for vulnerable children
We have been asked about a third vaccine for children who are immunocompromised or have undying health conditions that make Covid 19 particularly dangerous for them.
Most tamariki aged five to 11 are eligible for two paediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine eight weeks apart. Some children may be eligible for a third child dose. We have a number of children in the Awhi community who have had this dose. For ages five and over, third primary doses should be given at least eight weeks after the second dose.
We advise parents in the community to contact their GP or specialist to get a script for the booster. This script can then be taken into any vaccination centre.
Second booster for parents of vulnerable children
We have had parents request advice on getting a second booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine. We contacted the Ministry of Health about this.
As carers, support workers and health professionals looking after disabled children are eligible for the booster, we were surprised that parents were not also eligible. Many in our community fear being too sick to look after their tamariki who require around the clock care, or to administer medicine if they’re too unwell.
We were told parents acting as caregivers do not meet the criteria. “Otherwise healthy parents of disabled children are not currently eligible for a second booster because the evidence is they remain well protected from the first three doses of the vaccine. (Initial course plus 1st booster). The rationale for the second booster is to prevent severe disease causing hospitalisation in those at high risk of severe COVID illness.”
We responded: “We understand the focus on hospitalisation but in this case, it is about supporting a vulnerable population to cope with the virus day-to-day. Many disabled children require very intensive care which is difficult if the parent is sick.”
As we have not had a response, we have advised parents to book booster vaccinations and tell the vaccinator or administrator that they are carers. We have had several parents successfully recieve boosters by stating they are carers.
A second booster can only be administered a minimum of six months after a first booster. You can book an appointment for a booster dose through Book My Vaccine, or by calling the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).
Continue the discussion and chat in the private Awhi Ngā Mātua online community. The Awhi community is just for parents of disabled, neurodivergent and medically fragile children. Join here.