Compulsory jabs for health staff being considered in consultation

Mandatory Covid and flu jabs for frontline NHS and care workers in England are being considered in a government consultation, and plans are already in place to make it mandatory for care home workers in England to be fully vaccinated.

However, some care organisations and unions are warning that making the jabs compulsory will lead to staff shortages.

Figures show that around 88 per cent of NHS trust staff have received two doses, but in some trusts that figure falls to 78 per cent.

The six week consultation process will take views on whether vaccine requirements will apply for health and social care workers – those in contact with people receiving care and patients.

All workers in care homes in England regulated by the Care Quality Commission will need to be double jabbed, unless medically exempt, from November.

If agreed, these latest proposals will extend to all health service workers and would mean that only those who are fully vaccinated – unless exempt –  will be able to deliver health and care services.

Care organisations have warned that mandatory vaccinations may cause difficulties in a sector that is already struggling with recruitment.

Speaking about the consultation, Mr Javid said it was clear to see the impact vaccines had against respiratory viruses which could be fatal to the vulnerable.  He added “We will consider the responses to the consultation carefully but, whatever happens, I urge the small minority of NHS staff who have not yet been jabbed to consider getting vaccinated – for their own health as well as those around them.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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