Sir Patrick Vallance: COVID-19 will be with us forever

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The comments follow a statement yesterday from Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, who said making the vaccine compulsory for staff at care homes was a “sensible and reasonable step”. Health workers have been told that they may risk losing their job or be re-deployed away from the front-line if they do not get the vaccine.

When asked whether care workers should be forced to have Covid vaccinations in order to do their jobs, one BBC QT audience member said the decision was “ethically wrong”.

He said: “It’s a very, very difficult one to try and sort out.

“One of the things I’m personally feeling is how and why do we feel the need to actually force people?

“And almost twist their hands behind their back and say ‘if you don’t get it, you haven’t got a job’.

“That is ethically wrong.”

Health workers will have 16 weeks to book and receive both jabs from the time the regulations are approved by the Government.

Volunteers, tradespeople, hairdressers and beauticians who come into care homes will also be forced to get the jabs.

Announcing the plans to the Commons, Mr Hancock said the “vast majority of staff in care homes” were vaccinated, but not all.

The health secretary said the decision would save lives in care homes and hospitals.

He added: “We know that the vaccine not only protects you but protects those around you.”

Mr Hancock continued to say that there were no plans to extend mandatory vaccinations beyond health and care workers.

According to data from NHS England, only 23 per cent of London care homes have at least 80% of staff and 90% or residents fully vaccinated.

When asked whether other NHS workers should be forced to get the vaccine the BBC QT audience member questioned where the line would be drawn.

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He said: “Where do we start? Where do we stop? Do we go to the police service? Do we go to the fire service? Do we go to the ambulance service?

“I work with elderly people as well within the outdoor sector. Yes I’ve had the vaccine, I’ve had both, I’m very fortunate.

“But where do we stop with this? That’s the ethically wrong aspect about it.”

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