Research shows that more than a quarter of British nursing home staff believe that they should not be compulsory vaccinated against the coronavirus when they go to work.
About 67% of people support the government’s decree that all registered nursing home staff UK According to a survey of 4,048 nursing home staff, unless medical exemption is required, they must be vaccinated to continue working.
But 27% disagreed, and 6% said they were unsure in the July carehome.co.uk poll.
This government It has been stated that from November 11, all registered nursing home staff in England, including anyone entering the nursing home, such as health workers, inspectors and businessmen, must be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
This is a controversial move, and some industry leaders warn that it may have a negative impact on already stretched staffing levels.
More than half of the respondents (51%) stated that Covid-19 vaccination is already a mandatory requirement for employees in the family where they work.
Residents of nursing homes are among the most vulnerable to the coronavirus. Residents and staff have given priority to vaccination at the beginning of the vaccine launch.
The latest data comes from British National Medical Service System It shows that 94.4% of eligible residents and 80% of nursing home staff have been double stabbed.
However, a quarter of nursing homes do not meet the threshold for 80% of employees and 90% of residents to receive the first dose of vaccine to provide the lowest level of outbreak protection, such as Emergency Scientific Advisory Group (The wise man).
Sue Learner, editor of carehome.co.uk, said nursing homes must do all they can to protect residents, but forcing employees to be stabbed could result in a “large number” of people leaving the industry.
The government’s best estimate is that approximately 40,000 nursing home employees (7%) are at risk of loss due to mandatory Covid-19 vaccination, and the industry will need to spend £100 million to replace them.
However, it has not yet released a complete impact assessment and is expected to be released soon.
Ms. Learner said: “The government needs to provide some much-needed support to nursing homes in the next few months to ensure that they can cope with the possible recruitment crisis if caregivers eventually leave because of this policy.
“The large number of deaths in nursing homes is catastrophic. If the mandatory vaccination of nursing home staff can provide residents with better protection, it will definitely be welcomed.
“But if it puts nursing homes into a staffing crisis, it will not, because it is also harmful to the health of residents and may put their lives at risk.”
John Gordon The CEO of Salutem Healthcare stated that the group’s policy of compulsory vaccination of front-line employees has received “nearly complete support”.
He said: “The most important thing is that in this field, we have the responsibility to take care of the people we support and to ensure that our colleagues are fully vaccinated against this harmful disease is essential to ensure the safety of our residents.”
The approved coronavirus vaccine meets the strict safety, quality and effectiveness standards set by the independent Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
They have been tested in clinical trials with thousands of people, and millions of people have received “very rare” reports of serious side effects.
Neil Russell, the head of PJ Care, which runs three nursing homes, called the government’s policies “shocking and could spread distrust of vaccines.”
He said: “This kind of distrust can be overcome, but only through time and proof of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Enforcement will only increase distrust.”
An unnamed London nursing home worker said she wanted to wait for more evidence about the vaccine before deciding whether to get stabbed.
She originally planned to retire in three years, but now has to stop working early.
She said: “For those who say that I am selfish, irresponsible, and don’t put residents first, you are too outrageous.
“Putting residents first has always been the core of my concern.
“This is purely discriminatory against those who refuse for personal reasons. In a nursing home that has always respected my choice, I am about to lose a job that I love.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Social Care said: “Vaccines can save lives, and a lot of evidence and research have shown time and time again that they are very safe and effective.
“Although the staff and residents of nursing homes have been given priority, and the vast majority of people are now vaccinated, we need to do everything we can to reduce the risk of the most vulnerable.
“As this survey shows, as we learned from our extensive consultations with the department, most of the nursing staff support this policy, and we will continue to work hard to push staff to accept this policy to protect the disadvantaged. group.”
