The Guardian

Vaccine mandate ‘puts holiday homes at risk’

Josh Halliday North of England correspondent

Some of England’s only holiday homes for disabled people in care are facing closure because of the policy that means all staff must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

The charity Revitalise said the vaccine mandate for care homes was having “devastating consequences” for a sector already in crisis.

The charity runs three specialist holiday centres in England that provide care for 4,600 disabled people and their carers each year.

Janine Tregelles, the chief executive, said the future of the charity was under threat because of the policy that all care staff in England must be fully vaccinated by 11 November.

“For Revitalise and for the care sector, the mandatory vaccination policy will, if implemented, have devastating consequences,” she said.

The government said it was vital for care home staff to be fully vaccinated to protect some of the most vulnerable members of society. More than 90% of eligible staff had received their first dose of a Covid vaccine by last week, it said.

Ministers have previously said they estimate that about 7% of the 570,000 Care Quality Commissionregistered care home staff in England – about 40,000 people – will refuse the vaccine and no longer be able to care for residents after 11 November.

Tregelles questioned the logic of a policy that applies to care home staff but not to residents or visitors – or to frontline NHS workers, who frequently come into close contact with vulnerable patients. The health and social care secretary, Sajid Javid, has said the policy was “highly likely” to be extended to frontline NHS staff after a consultation.

The Department of Health and Social Care said: “Over 90% of care home staff have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine ahead of the 11 November deadline and we encourage even more staff to get vaccinated to protect their colleagues and those they care for.

“Temporarily, those who meet the criteria for a medical exemption will be able to self-certify until we introduce a new system. This will ensure those with medical exemptions can continue working in care homes.”

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https://guardian.pressreader.com/article/281904481318609

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