COVID vaccine to be compulsory for NHS staff in England by April

All National Health Service (NHS) staff will have to get vaccinated by April 1, 2022, UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid told the House of Commons on Tuesday. The announcement comes as about 103,000 frontline personnel are yet to have two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Javid said that he considered bringing the requirement before this winter. However, had to push it to spring next year as doing it any sooner would cause heavy NHS understaffing. 

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The UK government began consulting on making two doses compulsory for NHS workers in September.  Javid said that the responses to the consultation showed there was support for compulsory vaccination but also concerns that some people might choose to leave their jobs over the policy.

“There will be exemptions for the COVID vaccine requirement for medical reasons, and for those who do not have face-to-face contact with patients in their work,” he added. However, he arrived at the decision after taking advice from officials and NHS leaders.

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“We must avoid preventable harm and protect patients in the NHS, protect colleagues in the NHS and, of course, protect the NHS itself.” He said the requirement would be enforced only with parliamentary approval.

“No unvaccinated worker should be scapegoated or shamed,” said the health secretary, adding that they should instead be supported to make “a positive choice”.

A government analysis, reported by Sky News, suggested that up to 73,000 frontline NHS staff may refuse to get the vaccine despite the mandatory vaccine policy.