BBC: Vaccinations to be made compulsory in Care homes to the staff members!
1Covid vaccinations are to become compulsory for staff at care homes in England, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.
Mr Hancock said it was a "sensible and reasonable step" and he would consult on extending it to the NHS.
There are no plans to extend mandatory vaccinations beyond health and care workers, he said.
Workers will have 16 weeks to get both jabs from the time regulations are approved by Parliament.
If they do not, they face being redeployed away from front-line care or potentially losing their job.
Mr Hancock told the House of Commons that the "vast majority of staff in care homes" were vaccinated, but not all of them.
"We know that the vaccine not only protects you but protects those around you," he said, adding that compulsory vaccinations in care homes and hospitals would save lives.
What happened to care homes early in the pandemic?
How many people have been vaccinated so far?
When will I get the vaccine?
Care organisations have warned that compulsory vaccinations could cause significant difficulties in a sector that already struggles to recruit enough people.
The government, however, is believed to have considerable concerns about low take-up of the vaccine in some areas, including London.
A Whitehall source told the BBC that guidance to doctors that they should take the Hepatitis B vaccine suggested there is a precedent for mandatory vaccination.
The requirement will also apply to volunteers at care homes and those visiting for other work, such as healthcare workers, tradespeople, hairdressers and beauticians.
Workers who can prove they are medically exempt from getting the vaccine will not be affected.
There will be also be exemptions for visiting family and friends, under-18s, emergency services and people undertaking urgent maintenance work.
Governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have said they have no plans to make Covid jabs mandatory for care home staff.
Link to official BBC website. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57492264