Covid forces health workers to continue to act despite protests

The MINISTER has vowed to promote mandatory Covid strikes on healthcare workers, despite protests.

Frontline workers who marched against the rules yesterday were told they have obligation to ensure they are protected – or risk losing your job.

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Whitehall sources denied claims that the rules, effective April 1, could be halted, as 80,000 employees remain unvaccinated.

An insider said there are no plans to change the date when employees must be fully vaccinated.

That means people who haven’t been given the shot must get their first dose by February 3 to hit the April deadline. There is a lot of concern that a large number of NHS staff could be lost.

Dr Nikki Kanani, deputy head of the vaccine programme, said of the protesters: “If you are marching today, think of the people you have cared for, those who have been through Covid, think of the fellows. career you have worked with.

“And think about the best way to make sure we’re all protected and we’re all as safe as possible.” She added: “As healthcare professionals, we all have an obligation to make sure we are protected.”

But Matthew Taylor, of the NHS Confederation, said: “We have been told by the Government we may need more time than we are given.

“There are some people in the NHS who are hesitant about vaccines. Leaders need time to identify those people, to understand their concerns, to talk to them.”

Boris Johnson told MPs “we have to do something” about fears thousands of NHS staff could leave their jobs. But No10 insisted last night there was no change in policy.

There were 76,807 new positive tests yesterday, down 18,980 on Friday. The death toll increased from 288 to 297.

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