GAZETTE readers have called for care home staff to protect their residents by getting jabbed up against Covid.

In a poll carried out on our website, 53 per cent of people said coronavirus vaccines should be made mandatory for care home staff.

It comes after Cabinet minister Liz Truss said the Government’s decision on mandatory vaccination for care home staff was “very imminent.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is known to be in favour of the move, while England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, has said doctors and care workers have a “professional responsibility” to protect their patients.

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It is understood ministers will announce the move in the coming days after a consultation was carried out into using staff vaccination in England to protect the most vulnerable from Covid-19.

Statistics show there were 12,151 care home staff eligible to receive a vaccine due to not having had Covid-19 in the past 28 days.

There are 9,877 of eligible staff reported to be vaccinated with at least one dose, 81.3 per cent of eligible staff, meaning about 2,000 are yet to have their first jab.

In response to the poll, Baron von Miles said: “Without a vaccine they are putting the most vulnerable people in society at risk. At least there is some protection with the jab.”

Pit Stop agreed in part, adding: “I’m 100 per cent in favour of Covid vaccinations for everyone but also believe it would be a contravention of an individual’s human rights if mandatory solely for care home staff - they should not be singled out.”

Jus Carroll added: “Forced - no, but if you are in the caring profession why wouldn’t you help protect those being cared for? Do the right thing or get another job.”

And Count Me In called for education on the vaccine to encourage staff to get it.

“Care home staff shouldn’t be made to have the vaccine and neither should anyone else,” they said.

“Losing your job if you don’t agree to having a vaccine is surely coercion to accept the jab - this would mean their consent to the vaccination is invalid.

“Carers should be advised to have the vaccine and for it to be properly explained to them. Any worries should be properly addressed and then they can decide for themselves.”

Dr Susan Hopkins from Public Health England said: “There are pros and cons to any debate on mandatory vaccination – the pro is that you have vaccinated the carers for the most vulnerable in care homes, and therefore minimised the risk to those individuals.

“The con is that people may vote with their feet, and not want to have the vaccine and therefore not work in a care home.