CQC Approves WEU Exemption Certificate

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has formally approved the Clinical Exemption Certificate issued by the Workers of England, Wales and Scotland Union. This validation confirms that the certificate is acceptable for care staff who are medically exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

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Temporary Self-Certification Process

On 15 September 2021, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced a temporary self-certification process for individuals who believed they were medically exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of deployment, or had already been vaccinated abroad. This interim measure remained in place while the formal exemption process was being developed.

Formal Medical Exemption Process

The formal process for agreeing or declining medical exemptions went live on 1 October 2021. Key points include:

• Applicants may continue to use self-certification while awaiting a decision.
• If an exemption is declined, individuals have until 24 December 2021 to become fully vaccinated or make alternative arrangements.

Criteria for Medical Exemptions

The criteria are based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the Green Book, with input from senior clinicians. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Severe allergies to vaccine ingredients
• Adverse reactions to a first dose (e.g., myocarditis)
• Individuals with learning disabilities or autism who find vaccination distressing
• End-of-life care patients where vaccination is not in their best interests
• Certain time-limited conditions and pregnancy

Personal choice not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is not considered a medical exemption.

Using Alternative Certificates

While there is no legal requirement to use DHSC-provided forms, they remain the most straightforward way to evidence a temporary self-certification. If individuals choose alternatives—such as the certificate issued by the Workers of England, Wales and Scotland Union—they should note it is valid only until 24 December 2021, unless a formal exemption is granted via the government process.

Read more about this approval on our internal resource: The CQC Approves WEU Clinical Exemption Certificate.

Employer Responsibilities

Registered persons (or their representatives) at care homes must:

• Verify the identity of anyone entering the care home
• Check proof of vaccination or exemption status

Further guidance is available in the DHSC Operational Guidance for employers and staff.

Next Steps for Medically Exempt Individuals

Anyone who believes they are medically exempt should follow the agreed process on the DHSC website as soon as possible.

Contact Information

If you need further assistance, please contact the CQC Customer Service team:

• Phone: 03000 616161
• Online: www.cqc.org.uk/contact-us

About the CQC

The Care Quality Commission is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom. Established in 2009, it regulates and inspects health and social care services in England.