A survey commissioned by Acas has revealed that 22% of employers intend to implement a requirement for new employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the next year, with 21% planning to implement the requirement for existing employees. However, over half of the survey participants stated that they would not impose this requirement, with approximately 20% stating that they were undecided.

 

There is currently no legislation in Great Britain stipulating that employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Indeed, whilst it was due to be a statutory mandatory requirement for workers in regulated care homes in England to be vaccinated, that requirement was revoked on 15 March 2022 and was not introduced in the health and social care sector on 1 April 2022 as had been planned.  

Acas has advised employers to support and encourage staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, rather than implement a policy requiring it. It also reminded employers to consult with staff or their recognised trade union with the aim of agreeing an appropriate vaccination policy.

With the increased pressures on employers at the moment due to the difficult economic climate, many employers remain fearful as to what impact a new wave of COVID-19 in the autumn/winter ahead may have - considering what the future approach to vaccinations may be will remain a hot topic for a while yet.