COVID-19: Care homes may be forced to sack staff over COVID vaccination

An estimated 60% of workers in the care-giving industry may lose their source of livelihood if they fail to meet up with government regulation regarding vaccination after November 11, reports The Telegraph.

New directive

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has directed that all staff involved in providing care must have received their first vaccination dose by 16 September.

Failing to comply to this new rule means that those who work as care-givers and are not vaccinated will be sacked after the deadline, unless they have health reasons that are approved.

DHSC said:

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, care home workers have done a phenomenal job to support and protect those most at risk from COVID-19. People across the sector have risen to this unprecedented challenge and gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep those they care for safe.

We value the incredible work that people in care homes have done over the last 18 months to care for some of the people who are most at risk from COVID-19.

We want to ensure that care homes are as safe as possible for the staff working in them and the people they care for. We believe that the best way to do this is to ensure that everyone who can take up the offer of vaccination, does.

Vaccination offers the best protection against the virus, both for staff and care home residents. From 11th November 2021, all care home workers, and anyone entering a care home, will need to be fully vaccinated, unless they are exempt under the regulations.

Massive turnout

DHSC also revealed that the turnout for the COVID-19 vaccination nationwide has been massive, as more than 1.6million social care workers in England have been double-jabbed. It sees this as an important step in protecting themselves, their families and the people they give care to from becoming terminally sick or dying from COVID.

COVID-19 has definitely taken a toll on all sectors of life and the older generation is not exempted, this includes those with peculiar health conditions and those who are in dire need of care.

Evidence from a study carried out by Public Health England (PHE), shows that the vaccination campaign has prevented between 11 and 12.5 million infections and between 35,200 and 38,600 deaths since the beginning of the vaccination drive.