What is the controversy over giving Covid-19 vaccines to care home employees?
Ministers have ordered that all English care home workers must be immunized against Covid-19 by November 11. The government estimates that around 7% of 570,000 English care home workers will not accept the vaccine. This means that around 40,000 people will be unable to work in these homes or care for the elderly.
Unison, a union representing workers and unions, claims that ministers are driving the country toward a social care disaster. Unison has asked for the lifting of the no jab no job rule. The government, for its part, says that the move is necessary to protect elderly people who are vulnerable to Covid. British Medical Association (BMA), described the move to be a blunt instrument.
How important is it for care home staff to be vaccinated?
It is vital, according to the government. Others disagree. Others disagree. Some critics argue that vaccines are not effective in preventing hospital admissions or death but they can block transmission. It is possible for vaccinated staff to still transmit Covid-19. Peter English, the former chair of BMA's public health medicine panel, rejects this claim. He said that it is incorrect to claim that vaccination does not prevent transmission.
English stated that vaccination reduces the chance of getting infected. Those who have been vaccinated will be more likely to become infected for a shorter time. The odds of infecting other people and getting infected are much lower than those who have been vaccinated. I would estimate that they are around 10% to 10% less. This is the simple explanation. People most at risk of death or severe diseases should be protected by vaccinations and limiting their exposure to disease.
Is there precedent for imposing vaccinations on employees?
Certain NHS trusts require staff to be flu-vaccinated before they are allowed to work. Doctors and other healthcare workers are prohibited from performing certain procedures that could lead to hepatitis B infection.
Staff at care homes are not required to get vaccinated against Covid-19. English says that care home staff cannot perform a specific job if they have not been vaccinated.
