Is it mandatory for health staff to get vaccinated?

Michael parker a member of health staff believes that getting vaccinated should be mandatory. In his belief Patient safety is ultimately the responsibility of health and social care institutions. With regard to employment practice, these institutions have a duty to employ only workers whose presence would not place patients at unnecessary risk. Frontline care roles should not be offered to people unwilling to be vaccinated against high risk infections. This applies not only to direct employment but also to contract and agency staff.

The situation is less clear where existing staff are concerned, as employers have responsibilities not only for their patients but also to their staff. These include obligations of non-discrimination and ensuring reasonable working conditions.

But healthcare staff also have responsibilities. They should be willing to modify their practice in the interest of patient safety. If hospital chefs refuse to use new fresh ingredients for food preparation guidance, they have no good reason to expect to continue to be employed. So too in frontline healthcare roles, staff are rightly required to modify their practice in the light of evidence about patient safety.

Health and social care workers have a duty of care to be vaccinated against covid-19 to protect their patients and care home residents, as well as protecting themselves, their families, and the wider community. 

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