All those working in the NHS and social care in England will have to be vaccinated, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has told MPs.
Making a Covid-19 update statement in the Commons, Mr Javid said: “Having considered the consultation responses, the advice of my officials and NHS leaders including the chief executive of the NHS, I have concluded that all those working in the NHS and social care will have to be vaccinated.
“We must avoid preventable harm and protect patients in the NHS, protect colleagues in the NHS and of course protect the NHS itself.”
NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson told BBC Radio 5Live that the NHS was “very worried” about the fact that some staff could be lost over the move, adding: “You just have to look at what is happening in the care sector – the deadline for (care homes) is November 11 and they are saying they are very worried about the number of staff that they may lose as a result of this.
“So that’s why we have said to the Government, we understand why you are doing this but please could you work closely with us to manage that risk?
“So yes we are worried, but the whole point is doing everything we can to ensure that risk of losing staff doesn’t materialise.”
