[UK] COVID-19 vaccinations could become mandatory for care home workers

Under new government proposals, employees in care homes with older residents could be required to have a COVID-19 vaccination, Personnel Today reports.

The Department of Health and Social Care published a consultation into making vaccination a condition of employment for people working in residential elder care homes, unless they are exempt for medical reasons. Some operators - including Care UK and Barchester Healthcare - have already mandated vaccinations for new starters. (Links via original reporting)

At present only 53 per cent of older adult care homes meet SAGE advice on vaccination thresholds. SAGE recommends that 80 per cent of staff and 90 per cent of residents should be vaccinated to provide a minimum level of protection against outbreaks of COVID-19.

Reportedly fewer than 80 per cent of care home staff are vaccinated in more than half of local authority areas and across all 32 London boroughs.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said, “Older people living in care homes are most at risk of suffering serious consequences of COVID-19 and we have seen the grave effects the virus has had on this group.

“Making vaccines a condition of employment is something many care homes have called for, to help them provide greater protection for staff and residents in older people’s care homes and so save lives.

“The vaccine is already preventing deaths and is our route out of this pandemic. We have a duty of care to those most vulnerable to COVID-19, so it is right we consider all options to keep people safe.”

Barchester Healthcare chief executive Dr Pete Calveley said, “We have not lightly introduced our vaccine policy, but we take the view that providing safe care for those we care for is our paramount obligation.

“As the chief medical officer has said, it is a professional duty for care home staff to accept the vaccine unless there is a medical reason they should not.

“As time has progressed, the safety, efficacy and transmission-reduction evidence has become ever stronger, which supports our initial view.”

The five-week consultation is looking for views on the scope of the proposal, how it could be implemented and whether it would have an effect on staffing levels and safety.

Under new government proposals, employees in care homes with older residents could be required to have a COVID-19 vaccination, Personnel Today reports.

The Department of Health and Social Care published a consultation into making vaccination a condition of employment for people working in residential elder care homes, unless they are exempt for medical reasons. Some operators - including Care UK and Barchester Healthcare - have already mandated vaccinations for new starters. (Links via original reporting)

At present only 53 per cent of older adult care homes meet SAGE advice on vaccination thresholds. SAGE recommends that 80 per cent of staff and 90 per cent of residents should be vaccinated to provide a minimum level of protection against outbreaks of COVID-19.

Reportedly fewer than 80 per cent of care home staff are vaccinated in more than half of local authority areas and across all 32 London boroughs.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said, “Older people living in care homes are most at risk of suffering serious consequences of COVID-19 and we have seen the grave effects the virus has had on this group.

“Making vaccines a condition of employment is something many care homes have called for, to help them provide greater protection for staff and residents in older people’s care homes and so save lives.

“The vaccine is already preventing deaths and is our route out of this pandemic. We have a duty of care to those most vulnerable to COVID-19, so it is right we consider all options to keep people safe.”

Barchester Healthcare chief executive Dr Pete Calveley said, “We have not lightly introduced our vaccine policy, but we take the view that providing safe care for those we care for is our paramount obligation.

“As the chief medical officer has said, it is a professional duty for care home staff to accept the vaccine unless there is a medical reason they should not.

“As time has progressed, the safety, efficacy and transmission-reduction evidence has become ever stronger, which supports our initial view.”

The five-week consultation is looking for views on the scope of the proposal, how it could be implemented and whether it would have an effect on staffing levels and safety.