Sacking unvaccinated NHS staff who have worked tirelessly on the frontline for two years is “utterly unjustifiable”, Esther McVey has said.
The Tatton MP called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to re-think the move as she offered her support to those affected.
She said: “There are 100,000 NHS workers who face losing their jobs when it becomes mandatory for staff to be vaccinated.
“Given the Chief Medical Officer told MPs that vaccinations had a minimal impact on transmission, isn’t it the case now there is no reason at all for mandatory vaccinations for care workers and NHS staff? Over the last two years these people have worked tirelessly on the front line and we have clapped these key workers. Can the Prime Minister now make sure that he does not sack them, it is utterly unjustifiable?”
All NHS workers will be required to have had two Covid jabs by April 1, meaning the first dose must be administered by February 3. It will mean staff who come into “direct contact” with patients could face the sack unless they meet certain medical exemptions.
In response the Prime Minister said: “I understand the point but I must say the NHS fully supports the policy out of consideration for patient safety and I would repeat what I have said I think it is the duty of health care professionals to get vaccinated.”
Ms McVey has spoken to local workers who face losing their job over their vaccination status.
She added: “They take regular tests to prove they are Covid free. These workers have shown their dedication to patients and continue to show it on a daily basis.”
