Thousands gather across the country calling for mandatory vaccines to be scrapped
It's as the NHS Confederation says it could support a delay
Thousands of people are gathering in cities across the country calling for an end to mandatory vaccines for health and social care workers.
There are concerns around 70,000 unvaccinated staff could face losing their jobs, putting further pressure on staff shortages.
As it stands frontline workers have until the 3rd February to get their first dose, if they're to be fully vaccinated by the April deadline.
The NHS Confederation is among those calling for an extension, with several unions wanting to see the cut-off pushed back to September.
Chief Executive Matthew Taylor says a delay makes sense: "What we want to avoid if we can is a situation where leaders are having to drive people out of the service.
"This is a difficult issue, and we should recognise this as a difficult issue, and the idea that we should give ourselves a little bit longer, to speak to people, to explore how we can persuade people, is a good one."
Deputy lead for the NHS Covid vaccination programme Dr Nikki Kanani has said it is not too late to get jabbed.
She said: “If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, it’s not too late. There is always a vaccine available for you with your name on it.
“It’s there for you and no-one will judge you if you’ve decided just now to come forward for your first vaccine. Please come forward.
“You can book online through our national booking service. You can walk in through our grab a jab service, you can talk to your local health care practitioner or team.
“You will get the support you need to get protected.”
Dr Kanani was asked if the NHS can cope with losing thousands of staff due to mandatory vaccination.
She told reporters: “Our NHS staff have been utterly incredible. The last 24 months have been the most difficult that any of us have ever experienced and they have worked through the pandemic, they’ve delivered the most incredible vaccination programme.
“I know some people are still trying to make that really important decision.
“It’s so important as health care professionals that we’re protected.
“People are coming forward all the time to make sure that they’re protected, their families are protected, and that their patients are protected as well.”
Dr Kanani added health care professionals “have a duty” to make sure they are protected.
When asked about what she would say to staff who are protesting against mandatory vaccination, she said:“I think it’s a really difficult time for some people to make a decision that is fundamentally about protecting them and their families and their communities.
“So, if you’re marching today, just take a moment, think about the people that you’ve been looking after who have experienced Covid, think about your colleagues who you’ve been working with, and think about the best way to make sure that we’re all protected, and that we’re all as safe as possible, because we are very much in this together and it’s down to us to look after each other too.”
Those out in cities including, Manchester, London and Bristol today say it's about having the freedom to choose, with one telling us it's "disgusting" to force people into getting vaccines.
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