Mandatory Covid jabs for NHS and care workers are set to be scrapped in a huge government u-turn, Sajid Javid has confirmed.
The rule was set to be enforced from April, which meant if staff hadn't had their first dose by this Friday, they would not be double vaccinated in time.
Earlier Downing Street said Boris Johnson and Mr Javid were reflecting on the policy as it was introduced when the Delta variant was the dominant strain, MirrorOnline reports.
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On Monday, January 31, Mr Javid told the Commons: "Given that Delta has been replaced it's only right that our policy on vaccination as a condition of deployment is reviewed."
Omicron is less dangerous than Delta. It is also more transmissible, meaning the vaccine has less of an effect on whether sufferers pass the virus to others.
Mr Javid added: "I believe it is no longer proportionate to require vaccination as a condition of employment through statute.
“So today, I am announcing we will launch a consultation on ending vaccination as a condition of deployment in health and all social care settings.
“Subject to the responses, and the will of this House, the government will revoke the regulations.”
Senior NHS sources were said to have been worried about the mandatory policy given some regions across the UK had a very low vaccine uptake.
The latest figures from NHS England show 127,515 NHS and domiciliary care staff working in registered settings had not had a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine as of January 23.
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he welcomes Mr Javid's announcement but called on him to continue his efforts to improve vaccine hesitancy.
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