Almost half of Britons want teachers vaccinated next

In a new survey by Ipsos MORI, 46% of Britons believe teachers and nursery workers should be next in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, after current prioritised groups.

Emergency staff are also a priority for the public; 35% say police officers should be next on the list for the vaccine while 42% say other staff working in emergency services (e.g. fire) should receive it next. Other professions that are seen as a priority include those working in supermarkets and food shops (33%), frontline public-sector workers (not health/ emergency – 27%) and public transport workers (19%).

Three in 10 (31%) want to prioritise people aged 60-69 but there is less concern for lower age groups; only 8% want to prioritise the 50-59-year olds while 4% want those aged 18-49 to be the next group to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, younger Britons are more likely to prioritise based on age. Those aged 60-69 should be next to be vaccinated according to 34% among 18-34-year olds, making them the second highest priority group according to Gen-Zs and Millennials. Compared to their elders, those aged 18-34 are also more likely to want to prioritise 50-59-year olds and 18-49-year olds in the vaccination process.

Looking at other professional groups, around one in ten Britons want to see postal workers and delivery drivers (11%), armed forces (9%) and social workers (9%) vaccinated next.

There is less concern for those in prison, professional sports people, banks and building society workers and journalists; only 1% say these groups should be next on the list for the vaccine.