By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottingham’s two universities say they are drawing up plans to reintegrate students and prevent outbreaks of Covid when they return for the new academic year.
It follows concerns raised over the level of vaccination among younger students when they do return.
People aged 21 to 22 were invited for vaccination on June 16 and those aged 18 to 20 were being called for jabs by June 20.
Both Nottingham Trent and the University of Nottingham both recorded significant outbreaks last year.
Remote learning was then brought in across the country to enforce social distancing.
Both universities are in the process of outlining their approaches to reopening campuses and welcoming back a new cohort of students.
All returning students should have been offered both doses of their vaccine by the time the new academic year begins.
But concerns have been voiced that some new university students, who are currently aged under 18, may miss out on the vaccination push.
At present, some school leavers are not eligible for a jab and may have only received one dose at the time of their arrival.
Councillor Richard Jackson (Con), who represents Toton, Chilwell and Attenborough on Nottinghamshire County Council, has called for clarity on the issue.
Speaking at a policy committee meeting on Thursday, he said: “Last autumn it really was felt that the spike was seeded by students coming back, though it’s not their fault.
“Understandably it caused a great amount of concern locally, if you look at the distribution of cases it was responsible for an early increase in case numbers.
“What are we doing to try and engage with the universities this year, to make sure there’s a proper vaccination programme before they return?
“My theory is that a lot of the students-to-be are probably under 18 at the moment, may miss out on the current push for vaccines, and could fall between over the summer.”
The Government is currently considering when to offer some under-18s routine jabs, with a decision expected in the coming days.
Councillor Ben Bradley MP, Conservative county council leader, suggested in the meeting that a “school leaver” approach could be taken to protect those finishing A-Levels.
And commenting on vaccinations, the University of Nottingham confirmed it is “strongly encouraging” students to receive both doses before returning to campus.
The university added that more than 60 per cent of current students have already received one dose of the jab.
Students at the university will also be asked to provide a negative Covid test before returning to Nottingham, upon their arrival and then through a weekly testing regime.
Face coverings will also then be advised in crowded and enclosed spaces, with a “blended” form of teaching planned for the first term.
Nottingham Trent University will offer a full update “in due course”.
However, in a notice last month the university said its plans are “based on the assumption” that social distancing will be removed, adding it recognised plans may need to change if new restrictions are brought in.
In the notice, Vice-Chancellor Edward Peck also urged students to “be sure to book your vaccination” during the summer.
