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<p>Most people identified as clinically extremely vulnerable are now well protected
after receiving their primary and booster vaccination doses. An additional booster
is now also being offered to all those aged five or above who are either at higher
clinical risk from COVID-19 or who live with individuals at higher clinical risk,
as part of the current autumn booster programme.</p><p>This guidance can be accessed
here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-safely-with-respiratory-infections-including-covid-19"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-safely-with-respiratory-infections-including-covid-19</a>.</p><p>There
remains a smaller number of people who, despite vaccination, are at higher risk of
serious illness from COVID-19. This is due to a weakened immune system or other medical
conditions that require enhanced protections such as those offered by antibody and
antiviral treatments, additional vaccinations, and potentially other non-clinical
interventions.</p><p>Children and young people with weakened immune systems should
follow the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the UK Health Security
Agency (UKHSA)’s advice for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk
from COVID-19.</p><p>The guidance is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk</a>.</p><p>Where
staff, children, pupils or children have received advice from a specialist or clinician,
they should follow this advice. This may be set out in an education, health and care
plan.</p><p>In schools, given the low risk to children and young people, high levels
of vaccination among the UK population, and a dominant variant that continues to be
milder than in the past, public health advice is that there is no longer a need for
specific COVID-19 guidance. Instead, UKSHA advise that COVID-19 can be managed like
other respiratory infections. Schools should therefore be following the public health
guidance set out by UKHSA.</p><p>This guidance can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities</a>.</p><p>Over
the last year, backed by £25 million in government funding, the Department has provided
386,699 CO2 monitors to state-funded education providers, including early years, schools
and further education providers. CO2 monitors can support schools to identify poor
areas of ventilation which will provide further reassurance that existing ventilation
measures are working, especially over the winter months. As well as helping to identify
areas that are poorly ventilated, CO2 monitors can be useful to help education providers
balance good ventilation with keeping classrooms warm.</p><p>Where an area of poor
ventilation has been identified that cannot be resolved through simple measures such
as opening doors and windows, it may be appropriate for education providers to consider
the use of an air cleaning unit while the underlying ventilation issue is addressed.
In January, the Government committed to fulfil all eligible applications for air cleaning
units to state-funded education settings for poorly ventilated teaching spaces where
quick fixes to improve ventilation were not possible. All eligible applications received
have been fulfilled, with 8,026 air cleaning units distributed by 24 June 2022. All
units delivered use high efficiency particulate air.</p><p>The Department will continue
to review any emerging evidence, public health guidance, and advice to help ensure
that schools remain as safe as possible.</p><p> </p><p><strong><br> </strong></p>
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