Should the Covid vaccine be mandatory for care home workers?

John Godden, chief executive of Salutem Healthcare

Neil Russell, head of PJ Care

YES

In the wake of the government revealing it is to make Covid vaccines compulsory for care home workers in England, John Godden, chief executive of Salutem Healthcare, has said it hasn't gone far enough. He is calling for the government to make COVID-19 vaccines compulsory for all care staff, including domiciliary care and those caring for children.

Salutem Healthcare runs two homes, offering dementia care, residential care and respite care for people aged 65 and over.

He said: "At Salutem, we adopted a policy of compulsory vaccination for our frontline staff with effect from 30 April. This move received near total support from colleagues and those we care for. Above all, in this sector, we have a duty of care to those we support and ensuring our colleagues are fully vaccinated against this pernicious disease is essential in keeping our residents safe.

“I am particularly pleased to learn that all care settings, not just elderly, are to be included in this law – adults with complex needs are all too often left out of major policy considerations.

“Now, we need to see this policy applied to care settings for children and special educational need facilities.”

To read more about the government plans to make the Covid vaccine mandatory click here

NO

The government has said that from this October, care home workers will be given four months to have two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, unless they are medically exempt. If they refuse, they will lose their jobs.

Neil Russell, head of PJ Care, has called the compulsory vaccinations for care home staff "appalling and likely to spread mistrust of the vaccine".

PJ Care runs three care homes for people with physical illnesses, restricted mobility and challenging behaviours as a result of organic, degenerative or neurological disorders.

He said: "I am appalled by the idea of making vaccinations mandatory. It would only cause unnecessary and irrevocable damage to a sector that has suffered more than most during the pandemic.

"There are many reasons staff may have for waiting to have the vaccine, or even refusing it altogether – being pregnant is one example as there is not yet enough evidence to determine the safety of the vaccines for expectant mothers.

"In the UK, vaccinations are well-established but that’s not the case for all cultures, some of which have experienced historical misuse of vaccines that still give cause for concern today.

“It is a case of trust. This mistrust can be overcome, but only through time and demonstration of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Making it mandatory will only increase the mistrust.”