Matt Hancock prepares to make vaccines compulsory for care homes – review launched

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A consultation is being launched to look at the proposals.

It comes amid fears not enough care home staff have received a jab to protect the most vulnerable of residents.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) committee advising ministers on coronavirus believes 80 percent of care home staff and 90 percent of residents need a vaccine in order to provide the protection necessary to avoid an outbreak.

However at present nearly half of all care homes have failed to reach the threshold.

The Health Secretary said: “Older people living in care homes are most at risk of suffering serious consequences of Covid-19 and we have seen the grave effects the virus has had on this group.

“Making vaccines a condition of deployment is something many care homes have called for, to help them provide greater protection for staff and residents in older people’s care homes and so save lives.

“The vaccine is already preventing deaths and is our route out of this pandemic.

“We have a duty of care to those most vulnerable to Covid-19, so it is right we consider all options to keep people safe.”

More to follow…

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