Private healthcare workers to get Covid jab
By Robin Stride
Covid-19 vaccination is a step closer for independent practitioners and staff following an edict from NHS England and Improvement (NHSE/I).
The letter to NHS chief executives, GP practices and primary care networks (PCNs) gives new guidance ‘on the immediate requirement to vaccinate front-line health and social care workers ensuring maximum uptake of vaccination and timely, equitable access across staff groups’.
It instructs them to take immediate action to offer Covid-19 vaccination to directly employed front-line staff, adding:
‘Work with local authorities to plan and deliver Covid-19 vaccinations to all front-line social care workers.
‘Work with clinical care groups and local systems to offer Covid-19 vaccination to all healthcare workers working in primary care as well as independent practitioners and independent providers, including general practice (including locum staff), community pharmacy, dentistry, optometry and hospices.
‘Hospital hubs will be the default provider for vaccination of all health and social care workers, as they have available capacity to offer vaccinations now.’