Disabled workers face jabs dilemma

DISABLED people most at risk from coronavirus could be placed in the “impossible situation” of being called back to work despite not being fully vaccinated, a charity has warned.

Disability equality charity Scope said that with shielding advice ended the Government should introduce an automatic right for furlough for disabled people most at risk from Covid-19.

The charity said its research showed that 75 per cent of disabled people plan to keep shielding until they are fully vaccinated.

It comes after new figures, published yesterday, showed there are nearly a million people classified as clinically extremely vulnerable waiting to receive a second dose of coronavirus vaccine.

Data from NHS England shows that around 2.1 million people in this group had received a first jab by April 18, with nearly 1.1 million of them having had a second.

This leaves an estimated 985,679 waiting for their final dose.

Scope’s executive director of strategy, impact and social change James Taylor said no-one should be forced to choose between staying safe and keeping their job.

He added: “Without clear protections for those most at risk, many disabled people are going to be put in that impossible situation.

“This data suggests at the current rate, it could take weeks until all CEV [clinically extremely vulnerable] people have had their second vaccine dose.

“The little protection shielding offered has been pulled away, and there’s nothing to stop those most at risk being called into their workplaces despite not being fully vaccinated.

“The Government must not let this happen. All disabled people who do not yet feel able to return to their workplace must have the right to furlough.”