Care home workers need to get their first Covid-19 jabs soon

The law has changed and everyone working or volunteering in a CQC registered care home will need to have had both COVID-19 vaccinations by 11 November.

This means the deadline for first COVID-19 vaccinations for anyone working in a care home is 16 September.

As well as carers, this applies to anyone providing a service inside a care home. This includes social workers, volunteers, hairdressers, health workers and maintenance workers.

First vaccinations after 16 September will mean second doses will be too late to comply with the 11 November deadline. After 11 November anyone who has not been fully vaccinated will not be able to enter the care home to work or volunteer.

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Adrian Hardman, said: “The County Council continues to support our staff and providers to ensure they receive the best possible guidance to enable them to make informed decisions about the vaccine.”

Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Karen May, added: “It’s really important all those who regularly provide services to people in care homes get vaccinated in time.  We are urging anyone who attends a care home, even if they are volunteers to get the jab as soon as possible.”

Anyone working or volunteering in a care home including those aged 16 to 18 years such as health and social care apprentice workers, can access the vaccine at any of the following:

• Using the national booking system (NBS) for first and second doses: Book or manage your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Attending one of the community vaccination centres across Worcestershire:

  The Artrix, 
  
  Slideslow Drive
  
  Bromsgrove
  
  B60 1GN (vaccinations available for 16+)

  St Peter’s Baptist Church, Worcester 
  
  Eden Close
  
  Worcester
  
  WR5 3TZ (vaccinations available for 18+)

  Three Counties Showground Malvern 
  
  Malvern
  
  Worcestershire
  
  WR13 6NW (vaccinations available for 18+)

  Knights Pharmacy
  
  9 Palmers Road
  
  Redditch
  
  Worcestershire
  
  B98 0RF (vaccinations available for 18+) 
  
   

For more details please visit the Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG- Vaccination sites webpages.

There are also several temporary ‘Grab a Jab’ walk-in clinics being arranged across Worcestershire. For more details please look on local press and social media.

For queries about the legal changes for working in a care home please contact us via covidvaccinations@worcestershire.gov.uk 

The Government announced changes to legislation in June 2021 to ensure people living in care homes are better protected from death and serious illness.

Read more on the Government website: Everyone working in care homes to be fully vaccinated under new law to protect residents