Carers can now self-certify their Covid vaccination exemption
Carers can self-certify they are exempt from the coronavirus vaccine, it has emerged, on the eve of the deadline for them to receive their first dose.
All staff in registered care homes in England must be vaccinated against Covid-19 from Nov 11, unless medically exempt. This means the cut-off to receive their first dose is Thursday.
However, it emerged on Wednesday night they are now able to self-certify this status.
In a letter from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) dated Wednesday, first revealed by ITV News, companies were told “workers who are exempt will need to sign the form attached to this letter and give this to their employer as proof of their temporary exemption status”.
It went on to add that this “self-certification” was temporary and will last only until an “NHS Covid Pass system” is launched.
When the new system is launched, carers must apply for a “formal medical exemption” through that process. The self-certification will expire 12 weeks after the pass system is launched.
Some of the medical exemptions listed include: terminal illness, learning difficulty, autism or allergy to the vaccine. Pregnant care home workers can also apply.
It is understood staff will be warned that providing false information on the self-certify form could result in disciplinary action.
Mike Padgham, the director of the Independent Care Group, said the Government appeared to have opened a "loophole" for staff who were not happy to get jabbed.
"It seems on the one hand that it gives a bit of respite, because if people wanted to be exempt, and they couldn't get the correspondence in place then it's given room for manoeuvre, it's given a bit of breathing space.
"It seems to me that it was a hastily thought-out issue, that they think there are problems coming and they've done this to sort of help shift the deadline a bit, but it seems to be that anybody can fill that out now, if you're self-certifying, so I don't really understand the logic behind it.
"To come out so close to the wire, it seems to make a mockery of what they said."
It comes as Unison warned the mandatory vaccine deadline must be scrapped of risk “decimating” the care sector. The union said there are currently more than 112,000 vacancies already in the care sector, which could increase by 40-70,000 if the “no jab, no job” policy goes ahead.
Christina McAnea, the general secretary of Unison, said: “Everyone that can have the vaccine should have the vaccine. But the Government has persisted with a heavy-handed approach despite warnings from care employers of the dire consequences.
“This move is damaging a sector already on its knees and undermining trust in the vaccine. If roles can’t be filled, the level and volume of care offered will be reduced. Vaccine-hesitant staff must be offered reassurance and persuasion, not threats and ultimatums.
“Instead of encouraging much-needed recruitment into care, the Government is actively driving experienced staff away. It’s not too late for ministers to admit the error of their ways and bring care back from the precipice.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Over 90 per cent of care home staff have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine ahead of the 11 November deadline, and we encourage even more staff to get vaccinated to protect their colleagues and those they care for.
“Temporarily, those who meet the criteria for a medical exemption will be able to self-certify until we introduce a new system. This will ensure those with medical exemptions can continue working in care homes.”
