Update: Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment

Classification: Official

Publication Approval Reference: C1575

To:

• ICS leads
• All trusts (acute, community, ambulance, mental health):
  • Chief Executives
  • Chief Operating Officers
  • Chief AHPs
  • Chief Nursing Officers
  • Medical Directors
  • Chief People Officers/HR Directors
  • Chief Dental Officers
  • Chief Pharmacists
  • Directors of Estates
• CCG Accountable Officers
• CCG HR Directors
• PCN Clinical Directors and GP Providers
• All NHS Primary Care Dental Contract Holders

NHS England and NHS Improvement
Skipton House, 80 London Road
London SE1 6LH
31 January 2022

Dear Colleague,

We would like to thank all colleagues who have already taken up the offer of a COVID-19 vaccination, along with everyone who has supported them. A huge effort has been put into increasing the already high take-up among NHS staff, whether through one-to-one conversations or the many other methods deployed. This dedication is very much appreciated.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and, of course, your patients. NHS England and NHS Improvement have always been clear that staff have a professional duty to be vaccinated.

As you know, the Government passed legislation requiring vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD), effective from 1 April 2022. However, the Secretary of State has today announced that this requirement is being reconsidered.

Next Steps

The Government’s decision is subject to Parliamentary process and will require further consultation and a vote to be passed into legislation.

We recognise that, based on the guidance already issued to the service, you may have begun preparing for formal meetings with unvaccinated staff regarding deployment. Given this change in Government policy, employers should not serve notices of termination to employees affected by the VCOD regulations at this time.

There is currently a live SITREP request due for submission on 2 February. Please continue to complete this, excluding details related to service impact, which are no longer required.

Thank you for the leadership demonstrated at all levels as we planned to introduce this policy, and for your continued support of vaccination as our most important defence against COVID-19.

Yours sincerely,

• Amanda Pritchard – NHS Chief Executive
• Prof Em Wilkinson-Brice – Deputy Chief People Officer
• Prof Stephen Powis – National Medical Director
• Ruth May – Chief Nursing Officer, England
• Dr Nikita Kanani – Medical Director for Primary Care