In its response to a Department of Health and Social Care (DH) consultation proposing to make COVID-19 and flu vaccinations mandatory for frontline NHS staff, the RPS wrote that clear guidance should be shared with “employers as to what they are to do regarding a pharmacist’s eligibility to work if they choose not to be vaccinated”.

The consultation only covered staff providing services “as part of a Care Quality Commission (CQC)-regulated activity”, which means community pharmacies were not within scope unless they provided CQC-regulated services.

The RPS wrote that it would expect “unvaccinated pharmacists take steps to make sure that they minimise risks, including a discussion with their employer, risk assessment and infection prevention measures”.

“We would welcome strong guidance from the DH to provide consistency of approach for employers who have staff who choose not to be vaccinated,” it wrote.

A DH spokesperson told C+D today (October 25) that the consultation has now closed, and that the DH will publish its response and further information in due course.

Heath secretary Sajid Javid told Sky News today that he is “leaning towards” mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for NHS staff.

 

RPS: Vaccinations should not be mandatory

 

In June, the RPS said that while it it “actively and strongly encourages all pharmacists to take advantage” of the COVID-19 vaccine, it does not “agree with making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory, as informed and educated choices about health interventions would be more beneficial long-term than enforcing them”.

The RPS today stuck to this position, saying it does not agree that COVID-19 vaccinations should be mandated “as informed and educated choices about health interventions would be more beneficial long-term than enforcing them”.

However, it said that should the DH decide to mandate COVID-19 and flu vaccinations to staff providing CQC-regulated activities, there could be a “number of issues for community pharmacies”.

For instance, patients could perceive community pharmacies as a “higher risk environment”, which might discourage them to access “the care that they need”, the RPS wrote.

“There would be an inconsistency in messaging to both the pharmacy profession and the public, as those community pharmacies who provide CQC-regulated activity would be within scope. This would mean that some community pharmacies would be required to have vaccinated staff while other would not,” it added.

From November 11, care homes will only allow fully vaccinated healthcare professionals – including pharmacists – to enter the premises, unless professionals can prove they are exempt.

 

PDA "strongly encourages" getting vaccinated

 

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) today said that it "strongly encourages its members to participate in the vaccination programme". 

However, it noted: "Among pharmacists, there are some who will be medically exempt from the vaccination, and it is important that they are considered and not unfairly disadvantaged by any approach. The PDA also understands there may be a small number of pharmacists who, for reasons other than medical exemption, do not wish to have the vaccination. 

"As a trade union, we will support those individuals that are our members with any implications for their employment and career from such a policy."