| W.E.U Admin | Workplace Wellbeing
Government Press Release: Health and social care providers in England will be required to ensure workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless exempt, before deployment in frontline roles.
Overview
Under new regulations announced by the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, all health and social care workers who have direct, face-to-face contact with patients or service users must provide evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination to remain in employment. This measure aims to protect both vulnerable patients and staff from infection.
Key Points
- Mandatory Vaccination: Applies to doctors, nurses, dentists, domiciliary care workers, porters, receptionists and volunteers.
- Grace Period: A 12-week window after Parliamentary approval, with enforcement beginning from 1 April.
- Exemptions: Individuals with genuine medical exemptions will not be required to vaccinate.
- Precedent: Similar occupational health policies exist for exposure-prone procedures, such as Hepatitis B vaccination for surgeons.
Impact on NHS and Social Care
The initiative follows successful vaccination campaigns that have:
- Reduced infection risk by an estimated 50–60% for fully vaccinated individuals (REACT study).
- Achieved 92.8% first-dose and 89.9% two-dose uptake among NHS staff.
- Secured 83.7% first-dose and 74.6% two-dose coverage in domiciliary care workers.
However, over 208,000 frontline staff remain unreported as fully vaccinated. The Government urges these workers to come forward to protect themselves and those they care for.
Official Statements
Sajid Javid, Health and Social Care Secretary:
“Vaccines save lives and patient safety is paramount. Many of the people being treated in hospitals or cared for at home are the most vulnerable to COVID-19. We have a responsibility to give patients and staff the best possible protection.”
“We have consulted closely with the sector and will introduce new regulations to ensure people working in healthcare are vaccinated from next spring. I want to thank everyone who works in health and social care for the amazing work they do.”
Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive:
“The NHS has always been clear that staff should get the life-saving COVID vaccination to protect themselves, their loved ones and their patients and the overwhelming majority have already done so.”
“Working with NHS organisations, we will continue to support staff who have not yet received the vaccination to take up the evergreen offer.”
Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care:
“We know that vaccines save lives which is why earlier this year we set out our plans to make vaccines a condition of deployment in care homes to protect those who are more vulnerable to this virus.”
“Today’s announcement to extend these regulations will ensure all those who access regulated social care are afforded maximum protection from COVID-19.”
Next Steps and Support
The regulations are subject to Parliamentary approval and will come into force in spring, with a 12-week grace period for full vaccination. Vaccines remain free and widely available at:
- GP practices
- Pharmacies
- Community centres, places of worship and sports venues
To increase uptake among underserved groups, targeted outreach includes one-to-one conversations, pop-up clinics and collaboration with faith and ethnic minority networks.
Further Reading
For more on Workers of England Union’s stance and upcoming guidance, visit our detailed strategy page:
WEU Responds to NHS Vaccine Mandate Strategy
Related updates on frontline worker rights and union support:
- WEU Representative Dr Niall McCrae Chichester Update
- WEU Wins Case for Journalists Reporting at Dover Harbour
Official Consultation Response
workersofengland.co.uk | Independent Workers Trade Union
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