‘From clapping to sacking’
PROTESTORS OPPOSE COVID VACCINE RULES FOR NHS STAFF OUTSIDE GRIMSBY HOSPITAL
CAMPAIGNERS held a small demonstration at the entrance to Grimsby’s Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital to oppose mandatory vaccination.
Around six supporters of the campaign held placards - including one that said “clapping to sacking”.
A small number of motorists passing by sounded their horns in support.
The short protest was held following the deadline for all care sector staff to have the vaccine or otherwise lose their job. It is estimated there are around 100 carers in North East Lincolnshire who have not had both jabs and 31 who have not had any vaccination. That may include those who have medical exemption.
The Government say all health and social care workers, including volunteers, who have face-to-face contact with patients and care home residents and people who are cared for, will need to provide evidence they have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus in order to keep their jobs.
The deadline to have double jabs was on Thursday. Around 90 per cent of NHS staff are double jabbed.
One of the campaigners on
Scartho Road said: “We are coming out in sympathy with NHS staff. They should not have anything forced into their body, just in order to keep their job. It is not a natural substance.”
The campaigners said they were not part of a group.
Another one who requested to remain anonymous but stood in public said: “I am not against vaccine. The Government treatment of nursing staff is terrible.
“They were pleased to use them during the pandemic and clap them once a week and they will use them through winter and once that is out the way they will be sacked.
“It is against their human rights to have to have the vaccine.”
Retired police officer with Northamptonshire Constabulary, Tony Epps, of Market Rasen said: “There is no restriction on patients having to be vaccinated and visitors do not have to be vaccinated. So why are they insisting on nurses having it? There is no logic to it and they will lose their jobs.”
He added: “They are coming for care workers and now for NHS staff. Who is going to be next? I am a Christian and it is my duty to speak up against injustice.”
Earlier this week, Geoff Barnes, the director of Public Health for North East Lincolnshire, said: “It is extremely important that people in this sector get the vaccine, and we have been urging them to for the past couple of months.
“We have been able to get the number who have had one jab above 98 per cent, with only a relatively small group holding out.
“We know workers in the sector are under strain in this very challenging period, but the vaccine will help them to protect the people they are looking after.
“There has been talk about whether the requirement will cause staff shortages. North East Lincolnshire is in a better position than most, and although we can’t say for sure what the position will be over winter.”
As of Friday morning, the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust was treating 46 patients with coronavirus.
There were 21 patients at Grimsby’s Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital with one in ICU, and 25 are in Scunthorpe General Hospital with one in ICU.