It looks like NHS staff have had a stay of execution and will not be compelled to have a covid-19 jab this Winter. Health Secretary Sajid Javid had said that he was “leaning towards” mandating the jab for NHS staff to protect patients over the Winter months.
However, it is being reported this morning that staff won’t face a mandatory jab-or-job choice before next April.
According to The Telegraph:
Compulsory vaccinations for NHS staff are expected to be announced next week, but The Telegraph understands that, under the proposals, the rules will not be enforced until March 31.
Earlier this year, the Government launched a consultation on making vaccines mandatory for NHS staff. It said such a move would protect patients and doctors in the winter. Such rules have already been introduced for care homes and will come into force next week.
The Telegraph understands that plans under consideration by ministers will delay compulsory jabs for NHS staff until well into the spring, despite warnings from Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, that the “darkest months” are ahead.
Van Tam was speaking to the BBC yesterday. He said that rising covid infections would put enormous strain on the NHS this Winter.
Van Tam didn’t think to mention that the health service is already creaking under the weight of a 5 million strong waiting list. The NHS became a covid health service for over a year. Millions were denied treatment and procedures for other conditions.
Hospitals are playing catch-up at a time of year when they are ordinarily really busy anyway, dealing with seasonal flu. It’s a perfect storm.
Javid really had no other choice than to delay mandating the jab for NHS workers. However, as I’ve already said, it’s only a stay of execution.
Alas, it doesn’t appear that there will be a similar reprieve for care workers. From next week, care workers who cannot demonstrate that they’ve had the jabs will be fired. Batten down the hatches. It’s going to get rough.
