AROUND one in nine care home workers in York have not had their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, figures show. NHS Vale of York CCG said one explanation for the low figures could be that care homes do not have a static workforce with new recruits regularly joining teams. In York, 1,386 out of 1,566 eligible staff, including agency workers, at older adult care homes had received a first dose by April 11, according to latest NHS figures – meaning 11 per cent have not had a jab. The unvaccinated proportion has reduced from four weeks previously, when it was 18 per cent. However, looking across the board, the CCG said five out of six people in the first nine priority groups – including everyone over 50, those with underlying conditions and people who care for those in care homes – have already chosen to take up the offer of a vaccine.
CARE home staff will be required by law to receive a Covid-19 vaccination under plans by the Government – as figures reveal around one in seven workers in Dorset have not had a first dose. A five-week consultation on mandatory jabs has been launched following concerns about whether enough carers have been vaccinated to stop the virus spreading to residents. But the move has provoked criticism from trade union Unison which said mandatory vaccinations could “backfire” and lead to a staffing shortage. In Dorset, 4,010 out of 4,672 eligible staff, including agency workers, at older adult care homes had received a first dose by April 11, according to latest NHS figures – meaning 14 per cent have not had a jab.