Just 60% Of London Care Home Workers Have Covid Vaccine

Just an estimated 60% of care home workers in London have been vaccinated against COVID-19, while progress across England appears to be stalling.

According to analysis undertaken by Sky News there have been take up rates ranging between 59.9% in London compared to 77.7% in the North East and Yorkshire.

The NHS England data covers staff who have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine in the last four weeks, and has found that most UK regions have seen just a 3-5% increase in care home workers getting vaccinated during that period.

NHS England says home and agency staff are eligible for vaccination if they have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the previous 28 days.

The head of the NHS in England has said there is a problem with vaccine hesitancy.

Sir Simon Stevens said last month there was a “pandemic of disinformation”, but “meaningful progress” was being made.

Meanwhile, more than half of all adults have now received a COVID vaccine dose in at least 74 areas of England and Scotland.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Vaccines are the way out of this pandemic. Our vaccination programme is the biggest in NHS history, and so far our heroic health and care staff have vaccinated more than 23 million people.

“We have visited every eligible care home in England, offered vaccines to all staff, and are doing everything we can to ensure all those who can, take up the vital offer. All eligible staff can book using the national booking service.

“We continue to work closely with the care sector and local leaders in communities with lower take up to maximise vaccination numbers and save thousands of lives.”