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Original poster

Exemptions from being vaccinated and tested

78 replies

itsgrand · 30/09/2021 08:37

Has anyone else heard about this?
NHS worker here and we have been being briefed on this for the past 2 weeks, and had additional training for the roll out of exemptions which was due to be launched this week, however I think there is a delay to the roll out. I have internal links etc but there doesn't seem to be anything on the gov.uk or the nhs website about this.

Basically this is going to be rolled out that if you are medically advised not to get the vaccine and have an issue that means you cant be tested then you can get the same covid pass as people who are vaccinated.

Interested to know if anyone else has had briefings about this in work?

OP posts:
Tastytoast · 02/10/2021 12:25

As his court appointed deputy it is up to me and his father to consider whether it is in his best interest to try to sedate him to administer the vaccine (he has had to have GAs to have dental work). He is a very healthy young man in his late 20s and very unlikely to be very ill, and sedation may not work and just cause him further distress.
"Whilst we are still considering if there is a way that he can be vaccinated in such a way that is manageable for him, I will definitely be applying for a medical exemption for him."

That is a considered decision by someone who has his best interests at heart. Not a 'he might kick off so we don't want to do it' which is what I am encountering at the moment with my under 16.

Original poster
itsgrand · 02/10/2021 13:58

Applications for the exemption opened yesterday.
To apply you need to phone 119 and give your details (you do not need to give medical or confidential info), just that you believe yourself to be exempt from vaccines and or testing, give your name, address, dob, nhs number etc. Then the form will be sent to you and you get your GP to sign it, then you send it back and you get your covid pass.

Your covid pass will not state whether you have been vaccinated or not and will not highlight your exemption. It will merely be a covid pass just like anyone else so it's confidential and no way of knowing by looking at the pass whether you are exempt or vaccinated.

OP posts:
Penfield · 02/10/2021 14:11

This is like an alternative universe.

ilovesooty · 02/10/2021 14:37

At least it appears that if you're in the very small number of people who cannot for clinical reasons be either vaccinated or tested, your GP has to confirm it. Self identification shouldn't be accepted and if your GP has to sign, hopefully it won't be.

Penfield · 02/10/2021 14:55

This pass is already in existence? What is it used for?

Original poster
itsgrand · 02/10/2021 14:56

@Penfield

This pass is already in existence? What is it used for?
Concerts, football, tennis, NHS workers, care workers etc. Where have you been ?
OP posts:
Original poster
itsgrand · 02/10/2021 14:57

@Penfield

This pass is already in existence? What is it used for?
It has been in use for about 5 months?
OP posts:
Penfield · 02/10/2021 14:57

I had no idea. Thank you.

Penfield · 02/10/2021 15:00

NHS workers ... does that mean you can’t work in the NHS without a pass?

Original poster
itsgrand · 02/10/2021 15:14

@Penfield

NHS workers ... does that mean you can’t work in the NHS without a pass?
you would certainly be asked for proof of vaccination if you worked in the NHS or care home or anywhere around anyone CEV. Even some employers who had their staff wfh are now asking for proof of vaccination before staff return to the office.
OP posts:
Penfield · 02/10/2021 15:19

I work in school and DH at home. We haven’t heard of this and neither have friends.

Mickarooni · 02/10/2021 16:10

@Penfield

I work in school and DH at home. We haven’t heard of this and neither have friends.
It’s predominantly the care sector right now. We’ve had lots of information about it.
JoborPlay · 02/10/2021 17:00

@Penfield

NHS workers ... does that mean you can’t work in the NHS without a pass?
You can. There aren't mandatory vaccinations in the NHS, just mandatory counseling to check you understand the decision.
ollyollyoxenfree · 02/10/2021 17:03

There aren't mandatory vaccinations in the NHS, just mandatory counseling to check you understand the decision.

This isn't true - there are some roles in some locations that require vaccinations like 'flu.

Mickarooni · 02/10/2021 17:31

@JoborPlay

You cannot go into a care home in a professional capacity without vaccination or valid exemption.

JoborPlay · 02/10/2021 20:36

@ollyollyoxenfree

There aren't mandatory vaccinations in the NHS, just mandatory counseling to check you understand the decision.

This isn't true - there are some roles in some locations that require vaccinations like 'flu.

But they cannot force people to get vaccination. They can move their role, but only to an equivalent role.
JoborPlay · 02/10/2021 20:38

[quote Mickarooni]@JoborPlay

You cannot go into a care home in a professional capacity without vaccination or valid exemption.[/quote]
I am aware of this.

In my team, we have some unvaccinated people. I'm not allowed to treat them any differently to those who are vaccinated however when they are required to go in to a care home I have to give that piece of work to someone else. We have teams who's whole jobs are going in to care homes - if they aren't vaccinated, they've been moved to a role with less care home work. Same pay grade, similar client group, different location.

ollyollyoxenfree · 02/10/2021 20:39

But they cannot force people to get vaccination. They can move their role, but only to an equivalent role.

Yes exactly. If you do not want to be vaccinated you can be redeployed. This is why I find the talk of "no choice" slightly disingenuous.

JoborPlay · 02/10/2021 20:40

@ollyollyoxenfree

But they cannot force people to get vaccination. They can move their role, but only to an equivalent role.

Yes exactly. If you do not want to be vaccinated you can be redeployed. This is why I find the talk of "no choice" slightly disingenuous.

I'm sorry, are you arguing against me or agreeing with me. I'm tired!
Mickarooni · 02/10/2021 20:41

People who work in care homes have no choice really.

JoborPlay · 02/10/2021 20:48

@Mickarooni

People who work in care homes have no choice really.
Other than get another job - which swathes of carers are doing. We've had warnings from our care providers that alongside the already dire recruitment issues, they X number of carers leaving next month.
JoborPlay · 02/10/2021 20:49

Not saying I agree with it or think it's fair by the way! I'm hugely pro-vaccine, but even more pro bodily autonomy.

Viviennemary · 02/10/2021 20:52

So doesn't that make the whole thing a bit of a waste of time. Or am I not understanding it correctly.

OverTheRubicon · 02/10/2021 21:01

@Viviennemary

So doesn't that make the whole thing a bit of a waste of time. Or am I not understanding it correctly.
No, because the number of people who medically cannot be vaccinated and cannot be tested is very small. Many of those people will have fairly severe physical or mental health challenges that mean that they're unlikely to be 'next to you at a concert' like a pp suggested.

The only real risk I'd see is if they allow a massively wide definition - for example if they let people who were otherwise able to live a very typical life without pre-existing mental health issues claim that they have severe anxiety that makes both testing and vaccination impossible.

whymewhyme · 02/10/2021 21:01

Bit random but help me out.....if your a carer and had one vaccine ( had to choose job or jab) get pregnant before the 2nd jab....can you self exempt? And not have the second or do they have to have it even though they are pregnant because they work in care?