NHS mandatory vaccine law could cost Newcastle 2,000 frontline staff

The law is set to be introduced from April next year.
Sajid David announced the decision last week (Image: Getty Images)Sajid David announced the decision last week (Image: Getty Images)
Sajid David announced the decision last week (Image: Getty Images)

The government's decision to make the Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for frontline NHS staff could cost Newcastle 2,202 workers.

Health Secretary Sajid David told MPs last week that he expected to set an April deadline for unvaccinated NHS staff members to get the jab.

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It comes after a similar mandatory vaccination law came into play for care home workers last week.

In the North East and Yorkshire, 92.4% of frontline NHS staff have already received both vaccinations, leaving 12,246 yet to receive either vaccine as of October 31, 2021.

Locally, that number breaks down to 2,202 NHS staff who currently risk losing their jobs on Tyneside.

By NHS Trust, those figures in and around Newcastle break down into the following.

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Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - 93.2% of staff have received both doses, with 1,210 staff yet to receive either dose.

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust - 93.4% of staff have received both doses, with 355 staff yet to receive either dose.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust - 92.8% of staff have received both doses, with 637 staff yet to receive either dose.

The deadline for the double jab will be in April (Image: Getty Images)The deadline for the double jab will be in April (Image: Getty Images)
The deadline for the double jab will be in April (Image: Getty Images)

With the law not set to be introduced until April next year, there is still time for those frontline workers to receive the vaccine.

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Speaking to the House of Commons last week, the Health Secretary said: "Having considered the consultation responses, the advice of my officials and NHS leaders, I have concluded that all of those working in the NHS and social care will have to be vaccinated.

"We must avoid preventable harm, protect patients in the NHS, protect colleagues in the NHS and of course protect the NHS itself."