Vulnerable people could be put at risk if teachers move up the Covid vaccine queue, a Cabinet minister claimed today.

Labour has called for teachers to get the jab before schools in England reopen – expected from March 8 – if coronavirus infections continue to fall.

But International Development Secretary, Liz Truss, today warned this could mean vulnerable people are more likely to die.

Asked if teachers should be on the priority list, Ms Truss told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: ‘The issue is that for every person you vaccinate who isn’t in the most vulnerable group, that’s somebody in the most vulnerable group who isn’t getting their vaccine and who is more likely to die in the next few weeks and months.

‘I just don’t think that’s right. That’s the decision made by the independent committee that we are going to vaccinate first the over-70s and those in the most vulnerable group, and then the over-50s.’

The Government has set a target of February 15 to administer 15 million first doses of coronavirus vaccine.

Almost 600,000 people received their first dose yesterday, with close to 9 million now having had their initial jab.

The over-80s, people who live and work in care homes, frontline health and social care workers including NHS staff, are first in line under the current vaccine delivery plan.

They are followed closely by the over-70s and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested teachers and school staff should be vaccinated over half term – provided everyone in the first four categories have received the jab.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair also said there was a ‘very strong case’ for teachers to be vaccinated before classrooms reopen.

‘I think that is a reasonable thing to do in these circumstances if it helps allow you to get the schools back sooner,’ the veteran Labour leader, 67, told Sophy Ridge on Sunday.

Top schools also revealed ambitious plans to vaccinate England’s one million teaching staff – including school and nursery teachers, teaching assistants and support staff, dinner ladies and caretakers – in just one week.

Under the emergency measures, 150 independent schools and state academies could become vaccine hubs with staff administering injections 16 hours a day.

Teachers could be asked to work through the holidays as ministers reportedly consider whether to offer summer schools to catch up on months of missed work.

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