Mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations introduced for frontline NHS staff

Commenting on the decision to introduce mandatory vaccinations for frontline NHS staff earlier this week, Ella Bond said: 'Although this is the most high-profile announcement regarding mandatory jabs to date, many employers have had rules around compulsory vaccinations in place for many months now.'

'The care sector has led the way with the deadline having passed today for care workers to be fully vaccinated, and many employees, not comfortable with getting the jab, have now left their posts.'

'Under these new rules, only NHS workers who have a medical reason not to have the Covid jab, and those who don’t have face to face contact with patients, will be exempt from mandatory vaccination.'

'Although the changes are not expected to kick in until April 2022 it is vital NHS Trusts enter in an open dialogue right now with employees to ensure their staffing levels will be able to remain at a level to deliver a safe standard of care. Healthcare unions have already expressed their concern about the ruling, and it is possible there will be appeals made to try and get the Government to take a different path which opens up the possibility of legal action.'

'In any cases where it may be necessary to terminate an employee’s contract, correct procedures will need to be followed and professional advice should always be sought.'

'Any organisation choosing to introduce mandatory jabs, be it the National Health Service, a privately run care home or healthcare business, will need to update employee’s contracts and their internal policies. Employers recruiting new staff should be explicit at the earliest opportunity, ideally in the job advert, that a vaccination is a mandatory requirement for taking the job. Employers who fail to do this could leave themselves open to costly and time consuming disputes down the line.'