Course requires vaccination

[WineGetsMeThroughIt]

There is a training course my office wants to send me on. The course is roughly £1200, so not something I would pay for myself although I really want to go on it. When I called before Christmas to register they told me I must be double vaccinated in order to attend their courses and they were working on updating their rules so that people attending must be triple vaccinated.

Can they legally do this?

I'm not here to get into a big debate about why I'm not vaccinated and or take any abuse about it. I just want to know if a business can legally refuse my business if I'm not vaccinated.

A diagnosed medical condition that prohibits you from having the vaccination and you have evidence to prove- then I’m sure they’d accept

A vague “phobia of needles” (can’t believe how many seem to have phobias of needles!”) then unlikely

Ylvamoon, I agere. Already I am subject to very different at a time hard to understand (other than that the law is there to punish those like I am) rules than those who have had this vaccination.

If the 3rd booster has worn off by say July 2022 and the state does not offer another except to the weak and old for next winter 2022 then it may be hard to justify differentiating by summer 2022 the unvaccinated and people who had 3 boosters which now have no effect. Even so the differences might still apply and it may take a few court challenges to sort it out.

It would be very very odd if this vaccine wasn’t at least an annual occurrence

In fact completely and utterly illogical

@Xenia

Ylvamoon, I agere. Already I am subject to very different at a time hard to understand (other than that the law is there to punish those like I am) rules than those who have had this vaccination.

If the 3rd booster has worn off by say July 2022 and the state does not offer another except to the weak and old for next winter 2022 then it may be hard to justify differentiating by summer 2022 the unvaccinated and people who had 3 boosters which now have no effect. Even so the differences might still apply and it may take a few court challenges to sort it out.

It’s not to punish It’s to encourage

@xenia

I think the issue for employers is that they have to consider the health and safety of all their employees and minimise risk particularly to those who are vulnerable.

I would imagine that if Covid is no longer a risk by the summer, we won’t be encouraged to have a booster and health and safety workplace restrictions around Covid can be relaxed.

If we are still at risk - I’m sure a booster will be made available, and restrictions will still apply.

@WineGetsMeThroughIt

Fair enough. I just wanted to check. I can do an online course if I need to

That’s great. I’d certainly be attending the online course in your case. Good to hear they’ve alternatives, given their requirement.

@Blossombo

I think the concern is is consent but stealth.

Sure it’s a choice whether to be vaccinated, but is it really an informed choice if a person unvaccinated is stopped from accessing jobs, travel, entertainment.

And why don’t we have mandatory HIV tests before we enter a new relationship or go for a new job, particularly if it’s a key work position?

Playing devils advocate here

HIV doesn't spread through the air, though, does it?

And consulting adults entering into a relationship can make their own rules as to precautions etc.

Risks of covid in a workplace in a completely different matter as it can spread without close physical contact, unlike HIV.

but how are they going to know op?

are these places asking for proof you have vaccinated?

@Toanewstart22

A diagnosed medical condition that prohibits you from having the vaccination and you have evidence to prove- then I’m sure they’d accept

A vague “phobia of needles” (can’t believe how many seem to have phobias of needles!”) then unlikely

A medical condition leads to them having to consider "reasonable adjustments" which may be the equivalent online course, or daily lateral flow tests, or similar. It doesn't automatically mean attendance on the in person course without restrictions/precautions etc.

Just like a retail shop can deliver goods or hand goods over at the door as their "reasonable adjustment" if their premises aren't suitable for disabled people due to planning/building limitations preventing wider or step free access.

@GirlInACountrySong

but how are they going to know op?

are these places asking for proof you have vaccinated?

Most places requiring "proof" use the NHS app which produces a covid pass based on vaccination history, and I believe a paper version is also available.

Just out of interest do you have a medical exemption OP?

This asking for vaccine passes can probably only go on for at most another year or two because more and more people are not going to bother getting jabbed each time and some age groups might not even be eligible. It relies on a good proportion keeping their jabs up, people will just have them if needed for holidays in the future.

@User764832

This asking for vaccine passes can probably only go on for at most another year or two because more and more people are not going to bother getting jabbed each time and some age groups might not even be eligible. It relies on a good proportion keeping their jabs up, people will just have them if needed for holidays in the future.

It all depends on the science. It may well be that 2 plus the booster is good enough for most people and that whilst the strength of the response wanes over time, it's still enough to prevent serious effects in most people. The vaccine passport may well remain at 2 plus the booster for the long term. It may only be the vulnerable who are "advised" to have annual boosters in the years to come.

Obviously, also depends on covid itself, i.e. when we get to the stage where most people have antibodies by having had it, or an immune response due to the vaccines, it may well die out and not be a problem in years to come.

No one knows how things will pan out.