Fifth of staff in some care homes refuse Covid vaccine believing they are 'invincible'

Up to a fifth of care home staff are refusing to be vaccinated, it has emerged, with many younger workers believing they are “invincible” to the disease.

New figures show that half of over-80s have now been vaccinated and 40 per cent of elderly care home residents.

But there is currently no official data from the NHS or Government on how many residents have refused a jab.

The Press Association found that up to 21 per cent of staff at one large care home group, and five per cent of residents at another, had declined to be vaccinated.

Care groups have been calling for daily figures so they can check if the Government is on track to have offered vaccines to all residents by January 24 and address any take-up issues.

Anna Selby, head of the group's Covid-19 taskforce, said those refusing the vaccine tend to be younger staff and there appears to be a "feeling of invincibility".

She said: “I think it could go two ways: either we will start to see this rise because all those who wanted it have taken the slots and all those who don't want it will start refusing, because they can't refuse something they haven't been offered, although they can say they are going to, which is worrying... but I don't know if what people say now is actually a true reflection of what they'll actually do when the time comes for them to get it.

“The other thing that could happen is more and more people are being vaccinated and talking about their lives opening up again, and people will feel a bit silly for not wanting it and they'll jump aboard.”

Nadra Ahmed, from the National Care Association (NCA), said there has been a reduction in refusals following a strong push from providers to address fears and anxieties.

She said information from members and other industry bodies suggests around six to eight per cent of care staff still remain nervous or resistant due to health and cultural reasons, down from 18 to 20 per cent at the start of the rollout.

Many are now being persuaded as they see colleagues get the jab, she added.

The NCA is seeking legal advice on whether care workers could be forced to take the jab.

The figure for staff refusals at Sunrise Senior Living and Gracewell Healthcare's 46 care homes is around eight per cent of those offered, and just one per cent for residents, with more than half of residents now vaccinated.

As of January 14, 47 per cent of residents and 37 per cent of staff in the 200+ homes run by Barchester Healthcare had been given at least one dose of one of the approved vaccines. It is understood that five per cent of staff offered a jab have refused it.

A spokesperson said: “It is vital to the safety of our residents and patients that all of our staff, residents and patients should have the Covid-19 vaccination as soon as possible.

“We are playing our part in the national fight against Covid-19 and we feel that we must do whatever we can to protect our residents and patients, as reflected in the Barchester purpose and values.”

Care England said feedback from its members about take-up rates has been positive overall.

Chief executive Professor Martin Green said: “We are working to make it as easy as possible for staff to be vaccinated. So far, we understand that the uptake has been good.

“We would like real-time data from the NHS broken down by residents and staff so we can get a handle on whether this is a widespread problem."

Mike Padgham, who runs four care homes in North Yorkshire, said all but a handful of his 160 staff have received a vaccine. Some 14 staff members had refused it, with three since changing their minds, he told PA.

The Royal College of GPs urged health and social care workers to take advantage of being the first to get the vaccine, saying it would also protect patients, colleagues and family.

Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “Both vaccines that we're currently using in the UK have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they are safe and effective – as such, we'd urge anyone who is offered a jab to have one.”