Care home staff urged to get vaccinated

DOWNING Street has urged care home staff to get vaccinated after it emerged that around a third of social care staff have not received a coronavirus jab.

There is no official data published on how many health and social care staff have received a vaccine, including staff in elderly care homes who look after one of the most vulnerable groups, but Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the proportion is currently around two thirds of the social care workforce.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We are asking everybody to come forward and take the vaccine. We’ve been clear that it is safe and effective and not only provides protection, but it also provides protection for those around them.

“So of course we’re asking everybody to come forward and take the vaccines, including care home workers.”

Asked if care home staff are being irresponsible for declining jabs, he said: “I think the important thing is for us to encourage them to come forward and take the vaccine.”

He said that “vaccines are not mandatory” when asked about reports that some care home employers have told staff they cannot come to work if they are not vaccinated.