Data shows that making Covid mandatory for NHS workers and home care workers is not the best way to increase uptake.

  • The survey by the Office for National Statistics included 200 English people who were not jabbered
  • If they thought it would help them, they were more likely to be jabbed.
  • However, being told to do so by their employer was not likely to inspire them. 










Official data suggests that making Covid mandatory is not the best method to increase uptake.

A survey by the Office for National Statistics asked nearly 200 people not vaccinated what would motivate them to have their jabs done.

The most effective way to convince them was to be reminded how the vaccine could help them protect their family members from the disease.

About 16 percent stated that their main motivation for being jinked would be to reduce restrictions and bring life back into balance, as well as to take a vacation.

For 13 percent, however, being told by their employers to get vaccines would not be enough. 

You can be just as persuasive by offering vouchers, shopping discounts or other incentives to inoculate. 

The above graph shows what unvaccinated people said would motivate them to get the Covid jab in September. Being told by an employer to get jabbed to keep their job was least likely to encourage them to get the jab

This graph illustrates what people who were not vaccinated said they would do to encourage them to have the Covid jab this September. A coworker telling them that they need to be jabbed for their jobs was the least encouraging thing to do.

The survey also included unvaccinated people who had since got the vaccine. The most common reason for getting the jab was to allow restrictions to be eased and for life to return to normal

Unvaccinated individuals who have received the vaccine since then were also included in this survey. The main reason people sought the jab was for relaxation of restrictions, and to restore normalcy to their lives.

NHS employees will need to have their jabbed twice 

The Government has announced that the Covid vaccine must be administered to frontline NHS staff by the spring of next year or else they could lose their jobs.

Whitehall sources claim the April deadline — first mooted last week — will give unvaccinated employees enough time to get their jabs without risking a mass exodus heading into winter.

The BBC reports that only the Covid vaccine is mandatory. However, staff working on hospitals wards are strongly advised to get the flu jab.

This will align the NHS with care homes. Employees have until Thursday to receive their second Covid jab, or else they’ll be fired.

Jeremy Hunt, the ex-Health Secretary, backed this policy after an investigation revealed that 11,000 people died from the virus in NHS hospitals. They contracted the virus while being treated for an other condition.

However, unions strongly criticized the plans as ‘heavy-handed’ and said they weren’t necessary or proportionate given that nearly 90% of all health workers were double-jabbed.

Dominic Raab from Justice said today that the Government should defend its position and vulnerable individuals in hospitals or care homes should be given ‘properly protection’.

Experts called today for increased emphasis on vaccination campaigns to increase uptake.

According to them, making mandatory jabs a requirement may not be as effective in encouraging jabs and could make vaccine-refractory people more resistant.

Today, ministers will confirm mandatory vaccines for NHS frontline workers. This is similar to the controversial decision made for home care workers.

Unions warned that it could lead to backfires and worsen crises of staff in each sector. 

MailOnline spoke to Helen Bedford, Professor at University College London and a child’s health specialist who wasn’t involved in the research.

She said: ‘It clearly shows messaging about Covid vaccination needs to emphasise the benefits of being vaccinated for ourselves and others.

“Requiring vaccinations may not be as successful or have other important disadvantages such as increasing resistance among people who are unsure. 

Two months prior to the introduction of Covid jabs for caregivers, the ONS survey took place in September.

It contained 4,000 people who answered a questionnaire earlier this year and said that they don’t wish to receive the vaccine.

However, the most recent survey revealed that four out of ten adults who were previously reluctant to receive the Covid vaccine had now decided to do so.  

Two doses of Covid will be required for care home employees starting on Thursday to maintain their jobs.

But with up to 60,000 employees yet to be fully inoculated — roughly a tenth of the workforce — health want the deadline to be delayed or even ditched.

The staffing shortages could lead to hundreds of home closings or a reduction in the number beds available.

It is also anticipated that frontline NHS employees will be informed they need to get 2 doses of Covid to continue working in this sector.

Today, union leaders and healthcare professionals slammed the policy for being ‘heavy handed’ and warned it was neither necessary nor proportionate. Others said it could lead to mass exodus and be a problem.

Around 110,000 doctors, nurses and administrative staff in the NHS are yet to get their jabs — equivalent to eight per cent of the workforce.

Some 100,000 NHS workers are yet to get at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, figures show. The above graph shows the percentage that have got their first dose (blue line) and the percentage that have got both doses (orange line)

According to figures, around 100,000 NHS workers have not received at least one dose. This graph displays the percentage of people who received the first dose (blue lines) and percentages that got the second dose (orange lines).

The above map shows the 20 hospital trusts with the lowest proportion of staff fully jabbed in England. The data is up to September 30, the latest available

Below is a map showing the 20 hospitals trusts that have the lowest staffing in England. This data was last updated on September 30th, 2018.

Sajid Javid (Health Secretary) said last month that he was “leaning towards” making compulsory the use of Covid vaccines by NHS employees.

Health leaders urged him not to move the plans forward until April so that the service can get through the winter.

Sources close to the discussions said that Mr Javid was “genuinely divided” over this decision last week.

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