Health workers in England will have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by April 1 next year.
Key points:
- About 100,000 health workers in England have not been vaccinated against COVID-19
- Staff who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons and those without face-to-face patient contact will be exempt
- The policy does not apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
UK Health Minister Sajid Javid announced the shots would become a mandatory condition of employment for those on the front line of the National Health Service (NHS) and social care service.
Mr Javid said he had to balance the benefit to patients and colleagues with concern that workers might decide to leave their jobs rather than get the shots.
He said workplace pressures were one reason the measure would not come in until the spring.
“All those working in the NHS and social care will have to be vaccinated,” Mr Javid told the British parliament.
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