LONDON (dpa-AFX) – The British government has backtracked on the planned vaccination requirement for medical staff in England. Health Minister Sajid Javid announced in London on Monday evening that he would review the plans and request new data from the medical authorities. He let it be known that vaccination was no longer necessary.
The media had previously reported that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s conservative government wanted to abandon the controversial project. According to the original plans, nurses should have had two vaccinations from April 1st. The government justifies the alleged reversal by saying that the effects of the Omicron variant are significantly milder than feared.
The vaccination requirement for NHS staff in England was decided when the Delta variant was dominant. This led to significantly more admissions to hospitals. Critics fear that the already overburdened health system will lose 80,000 employees in one fell swoop if vaccinations become mandatory.
A number of MPs in Johnson’s Tory party had put up strong opposition to it. Johnson, who is under massive pressure for lockdown parties in Downing Street, is dependent on the support of Conservative backbenchers. Otherwise he faces a vote of no confidence./swe/DP/he