Health chiefs in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are urging staff who work in health and social care across the region to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The appeal comes after Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid confirmed on Tuesday (9 November) that all those working in frontline health and social care roles would have to be fully vaccinated from next April (2022).

Vaccination against COVID-19 becomes a condition for deployment in care homes across England on Thursday (11 November).

On extending this to NHS hospitals and independent healthcare providers, Mr Javid confirmed that only staff who do not have face-to-face contact with patients and those who have medical reasons for not receiving the vaccine would be exempt.

He said that 90 per cent of NHS staff had already received two jabs and that the Government had made full vaccination mandatory as health and social care staff carry a unique responsibility as they are in close contact with the most vulnerable in our society. Mr Javid added that healthcare staff have twin responsibilities to avoid preventable harm to those they care for and to keep each other safe.

The ruling for frontline healthcare staff is expected to come into force on 1 April 2022, pending Parliamentary approval, giving time for all staff to receive the necessary jabs.

Dr Paddy Hannigan, Clinical Lead for the vaccination programme in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, said: "We are urging everybody to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they can to keep everyone safe, and this is especially important for people who work on the front line in health and social care. These people play a vital role in fighting this illness and they come into regular contact with vulnerable patients.

"Receiving your COVID-19 jabs will ensure that you and your patients are protected, along with your loved ones and the wider community, and we would encourage anyone who is still unvaccinated to get their jabs as soon as possible."

Appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations can be booked online through the National Booking System by visiting www.nhs.uk, or by calling 119.