Academy statement: COVID-19 vaccination for NHS staff

Today’s announcement that the Government is going to step back from making vaccination against COVID-19 a condition of deployment for patient facing staff in the NHS in England and Social Care is a decision taken by the Government, based on the latest emerging evidence. It is clear that the Government is only in a position to consider this change because of the overwhelming success of the vaccine booster campaign to date.  

The Academy has always maintained that the mandatory vaccination of doctors was neither sensible or proportionate, as set out in our statement in July 2021.

That said, today’s development should not detract from our clear view that all doctors have a professional duty to protect themselves, their work colleagues and patients from the risks posed by infectious diseases and vaccination continues to be one of the most effective ways they can personally do that.

31 January 2022