Health Secretary rules out making Covid jabs a legal requirement

By Henry Sandercock
Published 9th Dec 2021, 12:14 BST
Updated 9th Dec 2021, 12:15 BST
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has described mandatory jabs as “unethical” (image: Getty Images)Health Secretary Sajid Javid has described mandatory jabs as “unethical” (image: Getty Images)
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has described mandatory jabs as “unethical” (image: Getty Images)

The Health Secretary Sajid Javid has ruled out making Covid vaccines mandatory.

Describing the idea as “unethical”, the cabinet minister said the UK would not follow the lead of Austria and Germany, which look poised to bring in legal requirements for jabs from February.

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The announcement comes after the Government brought in tougher Covid restrictions to combat the spread of the Omicron variant in the UK.

It has also sought to accelerate the coronavirus vaccine programme, which had slowed down despite the emergence of Omicron.

Mandatory Covid jabs for health and care workers only

Speaking to broadcasters on Thursday morning (9 December), Sajid Javid said mandatory vaccination would not be extended.

Under the current rules, brought in in November, frontline health workers and care staff in England are the only people required to be vaccinated as a condition of their employment.

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