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Vaccine While on Maternity

13 replies

Pastnowfuture · 06/02/2021 22:31

I am currently on maternity, due back in April. When the issue of vaccines was raised by my employer was told I would be offered one once available. I've now found out that all of my colleagues received theirs last week. I will contact my manager but just wondered if they arey allowed to exclude me in this way just because I'm on maternity? I'm doing some KIT days at the end of this month.

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AubergineIsMyFavourite · 06/02/2021 22:39

Those who I work with currently on maternity leave will be invited to have their vaccination on returning to work. While they are not working they are effectively at lower risk of COViD.

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flowery · 07/02/2021 08:03

The Covid vaccine isn’t a contractual benefit they are “excluding you” from. It’s a health and safety at work measure. Using up doses of the vaccine for women who are safe at home on maternity leave when there are key workers actually at work needing them (and if not, plenty of more vulnerable people) would be completely inappropriate.

By all means ask your manager when you’ll get yours, once you’re back, but don’t complain about not having had it while you’re off on maternity leave.

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Frankie4me · 07/02/2021 08:09

Your colleagues are being vaccinated because they are at increased workplace risk. While you’re on maternity, you’re not sharing the same risks and therefore need to wait until you are eligible otherwise or return to work. This isn’t about a contractual benefit or discrimination - it’s about preserving and prioritising the vaccines for those who need it most per the established framework.

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BendingSpoons · 07/02/2021 08:10

At my work, those on maternity have now had them, but after others did. They argued they needed them to get protection before returning to work (or KIT days) but their need/risk is less than those currently working.

I would take the tack of 'that's great colleagues have had it, now they are done can I have mine?'

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Pastnowfuture · 07/02/2021 09:23

Thanks everyone. I wasn't planning on making a fuss but genuinely worried about working KIT days due to my baby's health (breathing difficulties/time in intensive care). I only booked them once I was told I would get vaccine. If they say I can't have vaccine until maternity leave ends I will cancel them but we are a small team so it would have given some of my colleagues a much needed break.

Just to note I did initially decline the vaccine because I'm safe at home but the fact of the matter is there were spares everyday going to friends and family members because there is not yet an organised system, hence I was reassured I am in no way taking the vaccine away from a more vulnerable person.

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flowery · 07/02/2021 10:41

”there were spares everyday going to friends and family members because there is not yet an organised system, hence I was reassured I am in no way taking the vaccine away from a more vulnerable person.”

Oh that’s a bit different- if what you were meaning was asking if you could be rung at the end of the day if there were spares and no more vulnerable people can be found for them, yes I think you should ask for that.

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AubergineIsMyFavourite · 07/02/2021 12:39

I don’t think you can expect to have the vaccine ‘ready for’ your KIT days to be honest. I assume colleagues have been working throughout without any vaccine? In our workplace, people on maternity leave will be vaccinated on their return to work. Just as new staff will be vaccinated after they start, not beforehand.

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Kitkat151 · 07/02/2021 12:50

I’m on long term sick leave .... I work for the nhs....
I got invited for my vaccine....why not just ring occupational health and book yourself in ?

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SeasonFinale · 08/02/2021 13:00

If you team have all been vaccinated this would decrease any risk to you going in on KIT days too surely?

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m0therofdragons · 09/02/2021 21:54

there were spares everyday going to friends and family members because there is not yet an organised system, hence I was reassured I am in no way taking the vaccine away from a more vulnerable person.

This shouldn’t be happening anymore as proper systems should be in place as per guidance that came out recently. It was happening but anywhere doing this within the last two weeks will face a high level of scrutiny now.

If you have KIT days then you should be able to request vaccination before that date rather than your return to work date.

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June628 · 10/02/2021 17:22

I got my vaccine while on mat leave. I did have to chase for it though. My manager was no help. Occupational health said it’s not them. We have a special covid vaccine team who deals with it. Luckily once I got in touch with them they were very helpful.

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JBOH2020 · 14/02/2021 01:34

I'm on mat leave and had my first vaccine. My boss had to speak with higher management to ensure I could have it but as I'm doing KIT days and patient facing once a month they were happy for me to have it. So it'll be worth pushing for

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Pastnowfuture · 14/02/2021 09:33

Just to update my employer have stated they will not provide me with a slot until after my maternity ends. Seems a shame as if they gave the first one now I would be more protecyed and less likely to spread it when I do return rather than waiting. I've canvelled my KIT days as it's not worth the risk for my little boy.

Thanks for all comments.