Covid jab could become condition of deployment for care home staff – Government
Care home staff in England could be required to get a coronavirus vaccine as a condition of deployment to protect elderly residents, the Government has said.
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a consultation on making vaccination a condition of deployment for care home staff.
The five-week consultation will seek views on the proposal, any potential impact it could have on staffing and safety, how it could be implemented and who could be exempt.
Staff, care providers, residents and their families and other stakeholders are being urged to take part.
A decision is expected to be made this summer.
According to experts from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), 80% of staff and 90% of residents need to be vaccinated to provide a minimum level of protection against Covid-19 outbreaks.
The DHSC said nearly half of care homes for older residents in England are not meeting this threshold.
The Government is urging all care home workers to take up a jab now to keep themselves and residents safe.
Published: by Radio NewsHub