Care home staff shun Covid jab, claims MP

TWO thirds of care homes in a Birmingham suburb say staff are refusing to get a coronavirus vaccine.

And in one care home, 23 out of 25 staff have turned down the vaccine – including the manager.

These were the findings of a survey of homes housing elderly and vulnerable people in Erdington, Birmingham.

Local MP Jack Dromey described the low take-up among care home staff as a “significant risk”, and said he blamed those who spread lies about vaccines.

The survey, carried out by the MP, found that resistance to taking a vaccine was often caused by dangerous misinformation.

Reasons cited by care homes include staff believing the vaccines are “poisonous” and that they “cause infertility”.

A study led by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reported by the British Medical Journal, found that vaccination with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine reduces infections by 90 per cent, while a single dose confers 80 per cent protection.

Mr Dromey’s office contacted all 47 care home in his constituency, and 30 replied. All care homes report that all staff and residents have been offered the vaccine, but 20 reported that some staff had turned the offer down.

In one care home, 23 out of 25 staff refused the vaccine, including the manager. In another home, eight out of ten staff refused.

Another home said three quarters of staff had turned down the vaccine.

Care homes said there was a particularly high rate of vaccine hesitancy among ethnic minority staff members.

Mr Dromey said: “The results of my latest care home survey reveal worrying levels of vaccine uptake amongst care home staff.

“Throughout the pandemic, care homes and their residents have been hit so hard by Covid. The staff have done fantastic work, going above and beyond to ensure care home residents get the very best care in difficult circumstances.

“However, the fact that so many staff in care homes across Erdington are refusing the vaccine is deeply concerning. There is a significant risk posed to care home residents in particular who, for one reason or another, are unable to be vaccinated.

“Getting vaccinated protects not only you, but your family, friends, and neighbours.

“I would urge everyone across Erdington to accept the offer of a vaccine.”