NHS England and NHS Improvement have issued guidance on the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination rules for patient-facing NHS staff, including redeployment processes and information on termination of employment.
All occupational therapists and Allied Health Professions (AHPs), who work in health and social care in England and who do not have a medical exemption, must have their first dose of the vaccine by 3 February 2022. This is the last date for workers to get their first dose to be fully vaccinated in time for when the regulations take force from 1 April 2022.
Vaccinated is defined as a “complete course of a Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved COVID-19 vaccine”. This does not currently include the booster jab.
BAOT/UNISON supports the vaccination program in health and social care, though we disagree with the Government's decision to mandate the vaccine. We encourage all members who do not have a medical exemption to speak with colleagues and local representatives about vaccine hesitancy and vaccination.
The key dates for all AHP staff to note are:
- 3 February 2022 – the last date by which the first vaccine can be taken to complete the full course of vaccination in time for 31 March 2022.
- 4 February 2022 – the date from which employers can start final formal processes.
- 1 April 2022 – full implementation of vaccine as a condition of deployment regulations.
The latest guidance can be found on the NHS England and NHS Improvement website.
The latest information by UNISON, including all key dates and their stance on mandatory vaccines can be found on their website.
RCOT members (except those who are self-employed) are automatically members of UNISON and UNISON acts as the union on RCOT’s behalf.
Although the Covid vaccine isn’t currently mandatory for the self-employed, it is likely that any independent/self-employed occupational therapists won’t be able to carry out assessments/treatment in care homes, NHS or social care settings without a vaccine.