Government must do more to persuade care staff to have the jab

Reacting to NHS data showing that care home staff vaccination rates in the majority of English local authorities are below the level recommended by SAGE scientists, UNISON senior national social care officer Gavin Edwards said:
“Ministers know the areas where vaccination rates are low, but for some reason they aren’t taking the targeted action needed to increase ​the numbers.

“Faced with the same challenge, governments around the world rolled up their sleeves and worked with local authorities, unions and employers to drive-up care staff vaccination numbers. ​But ​in England the approach is too often heavy-handed and ​aggressive.
“​Time would be much better spent encouraging staff and making it as easy as possible for them to have their jabs. ​Attempting to force staff to comply with threats to their livelihoods is ​just plain wrong and won’t work either.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, private and community sectors.
Media contacts:
Garfield Myrie M: 07432 741565 E: [e-mail]
​Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: [e-mail]
The article Government must do more to persuade care staff to have the jab first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Source: UNISON Health and safety news - April 16, 2021 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Garfield Myrie Tags: News Press release Gavin Edwards vaccination Source Type: news