While a consultation on compulsory flu and covid-19 vaccines for frontline health and social care workers has been launched in England, officials north of the border have, for now, ruled out any such moves.

Under the proposals for England, only those who are fully vaccinated, unless medically exempt, could be deployed to deliver health and care services.

The NHS workforce in Scotland has managed higher covid-19 vaccination rates than its English counterparts – 95.2% of frontline healthcare staff have been jabbed at least once, compared to 92% down south.

However, uptake of the flu vaccine amongst eligible frontline health and care workers is considerably lower in Scotland than England, with 55% compared to 76% opting to receive it respectively.

On making vaccinations compulsory, a Scottish government spokesperson said: “We do not think such a step is necessary at this time given the large uptake we’ve seen in Scotland. Health and social care workers have been among those prioritised for the vaccine, with the overwhelming majority taking it up. 

“The success of the covid vaccination programme in Scotland, has been based on information, recommendation and encouragement rather than to make it mandatory and we have no plans to make vaccinations mandatory for health and social care staff.

“We continue to work with Health Boards to further encourage acceptance of the vaccination offer.”

There is a longstanding precedent for vaccination requirements in NHS roles, with workplace policies already requiring the Hepatitis B vaccine for those undertaking exposure-prone procedures, such as surgeons, but not for the flu vaccine.

Influenza-like illnesses, such as the flu, contribute to thousands of excess deaths a year with people in hospitals and care homes at particular risk.

The main focus of the consultation in England is to see how vaccinations can reduce the risk faced within clinical settings, including the level of interaction between staff, patients and visitors; the vulnerability of patients; and high-risk procedures.

The UK government has said that, as well as protecting vulnerable patients, the proposals will protect staff, which is particularly important for hospital trusts where extensive unexpected staff absences can put added pressure on already hardworking clinicians providing patient care during busy periods like winter.

Read more: Compulsory care staff jabs dismissed for Scotland; GP’s role in routine vaccination to end; Scots covid inquiry to examine care home deaths

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