The state health department has directed the deputy commissioners of all 24 districts of Jharkhand to ensure that the second dose of the vaccine is administered to teachers of class 9 to 12 on priority by August 10 and ensure that no teacher starts visiting schools unless he/she is fully vaccinated.

“It has come to light that some teachers of classes 9 to 12 have not received both doses of vaccine against Covid-19. In such circumstances, all the district education officers are hereby directed to ensure complete vaccination of such teachers on priority basis through special drives by August 10,” a letter from National Health Mission (NHM) Director Umashankar Singh, dated August 6, stated.

The directive comes close on the heels of the state government’s decision of reopening in-person classes for students of class 9 to 12 in schools across Jharkhand. In a recent meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), a host of relaxations were announced according to whihc schools and coaching institutes were allowed to hold offline classes for senior students from August 2.

“As per Covid protocol, only such teachers who have been completely vaccinated should be allowed to visit schools and take classes as a precautionary measure,” the letter further stated.

Most of the teachers in government and private schools have received at least one dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 in Jharkhand, said health officials, claiming that special vaccination drives were run in different schools to ensure that teachers get vaccinated. A few teachers, mostly those below the age of 45 years, have only been partially-vaccinated and were waiting for their second jab, said an official, adding that such teachers would be vaccinated on priority so that they can take in-person classes in schools.

The government’s decision of reopening schools for students of classes 9 to 12 has drawn a mixed response from parents and academicians amid the fear of a possible third wave of the pandemic. Experts have also warned that the third wave may mostly affect children and the state should take extra precautions to keep them safe.

Schools have remained closed for regular classes since the pandemic first hit Jharkhand in March 2020. While in-person classes for some students were allowed after the first wave, the government had to again close schools as the second wave of the pandemic hit the state.

As per government data, the state has so far administered the first dose of the vaccine to at least 80 lakh residents and the second dose to around 20 lakh residents.