DAUK is backing a petition calling for all NHS healthcare workers to be offered a free Covid booster vaccine this winter.
The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) is urging NHS staff to sign the petition.
It comes amid ongoing waves of Covid cases, increasing numbers of workforce absences, and intensifying winter pressures on the health service.
Covid booster
Covid vaccine boosters are not being offered to NHS healthcare workers this winter.
Dr Alison George, DAUK GP committee member, said it’s a policy that places staff and patients at unnecessary risk.
“It shouldn’t take a petition to prick the collective consciences of NHS England, the Department for Health, and the UK Health Security Agency,” she said. “But here we are.
“There is clear evidence Covid is still causing significant acute and chronic health problems.
“We know protecting NHS staff reduces nosocomial infections and staff sickness.
NHS staff
“This improves patient outcomes and limits treatment, operation, and procedure cancellations.
“But despite this, the government has chosen to tightly restrict access to free Covid vaccines, including excluding NHS staff.
“This is such a short-sighted and irresponsible decision and can’t be justified on an individual or NHS level.
“Buying a vaccine privately costs around £98, which is likely to put most staff off and demonstrates appalling profiteering by companies.
“As winter pressures mount, totally predictably, we see Wes Streeting and health leaders so determined not to budge that they’d rather continue with this reckless policy and the avoidable harm it is resulting in, than promptly reverse it.
Petition support
“DAUK is in full support of this petition. We urge Mr Streeting to reconsider his decision as a matter of urgency.”
Sign the petition calling for all NHS healthcare workers to be offered a free Covid booster vaccine this winter.
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