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Original poster

To the non-vaxxers who work for the NHS- do we have a leg to stand on?

999 replies

LMonkey · 05/11/2021 16:55

So it's looking like vaccines will become mandatory for all NHS workers from April next year...where on earth can we go fro here?
I really dont want to get in to a vaccine debate. I have strong feelings as to why I don't want the vaccine. I'm a med sec and don't see any patients any way, or go anywhere near them. But regardless of this I strongly feel NOBODY should be forced to have any vaccine. Do we have a leg to stand on? I mean it's not lawful to force an employee to have a vaccine but if the government make it compulsory for nhs staff is there any way round it do you think? This really is causing me enormous amounts of stress. I really don't know what to do (please don't anyone say "get the vaccine"). I'd love to hear from others in the same boat or from a legal standpoint.

OP posts:
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MissyB1 · 07/11/2021 19:18

@Namechanger0800

I strongly believe that this isn't an Individual choice as it's a public health issue. Educate yourself and get vaccinated
I agree, some things are bigger than the individual. What about a person’s responsibility to society? And needless to say a healthcare worker’s responsibility to their patients and colleagues.
Emmelina · 07/11/2021 19:28

It’s probably a conflict of interests thing as well as in the interests of patient health.
Do they really want someone in their medical establishment who doesn’t believe in medicine/science?

MissyB1 · 07/11/2021 19:38

@Emmelina

It’s probably a conflict of interests thing as well as in the interests of patient health. Do they really want someone in their medical establishment who doesn’t believe in medicine/science?
Indeed.
RacketeerRalph · 07/11/2021 19:43

@Emmelina

It’s probably a conflict of interests thing as well as in the interests of patient health. Do they really want someone in their medical establishment who doesn’t believe in medicine/science?
There are plenty of Drs and psychiatrists that have beliefs at odds with their profession
MrsLargeEmbodied · 09/11/2021 18:36

they have announced that Front line workers will need the vaccine so a med sec will be Fine

tigger1001 · 09/11/2021 19:16

@Namechanger0800

I strongly believe that this isn't an Individual choice as it's a public health issue. Educate yourself and get vaccinated
I very much strongly disagree with this.

It very much is and absolutely should be,personal choice as to what medical procedures you get. The side effects, whilst rare, happen to the individual and every single person should give informed consent.

Fordian · 09/11/2021 21:05

Javid today: 'No unvaccinated worker should be "scapegoated or shamed", said Mr Javid, and should instead be supported to make "a positive choice".'

You know what? That incenses be far more than 'Get jabbed or get sacked'.

That would be -I dunno- honest. A 'positive choice'? What double-speak is this?

writingsonthewall · 09/11/2021 21:32

@clarepetal

My best friend is very clever. She doesn't want it as she feels we have no idea on the long term effects. Maybe the OP feels the same, and she should have the right to choose. Why should she lose her job because she isn't comfortable about the jab? Is it a very high transmission rate if she catches it and doesn't have the jab? I still think choice is very important. I'm with OP on this one. And I'm double jabbed with a booster booked in.
I agree. Also double jabbed and took part in a vaccine trial. The lack of choice is so concerning. And leaving your job isn't really being given a choice in my book.
leafygarden42 · 10/11/2021 06:42

My best friend is very clever. She doesn't want it as she feels we have no idea on the long term effects.

Sorry - but no - your best friend is not very clever. More the opposite really. She should have a look at the long term effects of Covid on people too - in our area there is an 8 week waiting list to see the Long Covid team as so many people have it.

Disfordarkchocolate · 10/11/2021 06:50

Surely you had this when you joined? I had to have my vaccine status checked when I started working in the NHS.

Xenia · 10/11/2021 08:36

People disagree over it. The NHS already makes a lot of accommodations for people's beliefs eg Catholic doctors cannot be made to do abortions. We don't sack Jehovah's witness NHS employees because they do not believe religiously they should have blood transfusions.
Anyway we shall see what happens with this. Market forces and money tend to prevail.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 10/11/2021 09:05

I work in the NHS and I'm being forced to do all my unvaccinated colleagues work like nursing homes because of course they won't let her in and a lot of our patients won't see unvaccinated staff.
My work load has gone up massively and I'm properly pissed off.
I can't wait until April.

Alcemeg · 10/11/2021 09:34

@Xenia

People disagree over it. The NHS already makes a lot of accommodations for people's beliefs eg Catholic doctors cannot be made to do abortions. We don't sack Jehovah's witness NHS employees because they do not believe religiously they should have blood transfusions. Anyway we shall see what happens with this. Market forces and money tend to prevail.
But you can't catch Catholicism (etc) off someone who has it...?
Conflictedboobs · 10/11/2021 14:21

@Xenia

People disagree over it. The NHS already makes a lot of accommodations for people's beliefs eg Catholic doctors cannot be made to do abortions. We don't sack Jehovah's witness NHS employees because they do not believe religiously they should have blood transfusions. Anyway we shall see what happens with this. Market forces and money tend to prevail.
Not a good comparison. Religion isn’t infectious and antivax isn’t a religion or a protected characteristic.
alreadytaken · 10/11/2021 18:36

Anyone can claim anything on mumsnet, Op - whether they are saying they are a medical secretary or claiming to have heart disease who knows whether it is true or preying on the gullible.

In RL I know a lot of people who have seen covid first hand and they have all been vaccinated at the first possible opportunity because the risks of vaccination are considerably smaller than the risks of covid. You can still change your mind - just admit that you are not perfect and can still learn.

Brenttent · 10/11/2021 18:55

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

I work in the NHS and I'm being forced to do all my unvaccinated colleagues work like nursing homes because of course they won't let her in and a lot of our patients won't see unvaccinated staff. My work load has gone up massively and I'm properly pissed off. I can't wait until April.
Why are staff telling patients anything about their medical history in the first place?
gamerchick · 10/11/2021 19:04

Why are staff telling patients anything about their medical history in the first place?

Because this is a not seen before situation we ALL have been battered about by. All of us. People need the choice of whether to have contact with the unvaccinated or not.

It's a choice, either get it or find another job. There are no grey areas on this.

Brenttent · 10/11/2021 19:22

@gamerick you didn't answer my question.

At what point did I give an opinion on weather OP should or should not take the vaccine?

RacketeerRalph · 10/11/2021 19:39

Why are staff telling patients anything about their medical history in the first place?

Because we get yelled at, screamed at and worse if we don't. Not by everyone, but by enough.

Brenttent · 10/11/2021 19:48

@RacketeerRalph I'm NHS staff. I have never been asked that question nor any question about my own health by patients.

I would quite frankly say I'm sorry but I'm not at liberty to disclose that with you.

I can see how the government is practically forcing NHS staff to have the vaccine I can also see the other side too! It's tricky as we don't have to plunge into a lockdown

Daggers78 · 10/11/2021 19:50

@alreadytaken

Anyone can claim anything on mumsnet, Op - whether they are saying they are a medical secretary or claiming to have heart disease who knows whether it is true or preying on the gullible.

In RL I know a lot of people who have seen covid first hand and they have all been vaccinated at the first possible opportunity because the risks of vaccination are considerably smaller than the risks of covid. You can still change your mind - just admit that you are not perfect and can still learn.

OP is not claiming to be perfect and it has nothing to do with learning, surely? It's basic human rights to have a choice as to what goes in our body. Let the people who want to be vaccinated get vaccinated. And people who don't wish to shouldn't be coerced into it or judged. Respect eachothers choices. We are all human.
Muchtoomuchtodo · 10/11/2021 19:52

@Brenttent I’m employed by the NHS and have been doing home visits throughout most of the pandemic.

I’ve been asked lots of times about my vaccination and booster status. Initially people,were interred see to see how quickly the roll out was happening and if I’d had any side effects but now it’s definitely so that they feel more protected.

Nursing and residential homes also sometimes ask about my vaccine status, but always need to see proof of negative LFT on the day of the visit.

Daggers78 · 10/11/2021 19:56

"A tale of two nurses:

Julie is unvaxxed and feels too ill to go in to work because she has covid symptoms, so she's sitting at home

Mary is vaxxed, has caught covid but has no symptoms thanks to the vax, so she's sitting with all her patients"

Read this earlier. Makes a good point I think

Daggers78 · 10/11/2021 20:01

Conflictedboobs
Not a good comparison. Religion isn’t infectious and antivax isn’t a religion or a protected characteristic

Surely freedom of choice should be protected? Especially regarding our own bodies??

Brenttent · 10/11/2021 20:04

[quote Muchtoomuchtodo]@Brenttent I’m employed by the NHS and have been doing home visits throughout most of the pandemic.

I’ve been asked lots of times about my vaccination and booster status. Initially people,were interred see to see how quickly the roll out was happening and if I’d had any side effects but now it’s definitely so that they feel more protected.

Nursing and residential homes also sometimes ask about my vaccine status, but always need to see proof of negative LFT on the day of the visit.[/quote]
That's the nursing home staff though right?

I can see how if you are community based and you are entering someone's house someone may ask. The point is. I wouldn't be disclosing such info.. I would politely decline.