Update: Vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) for all healthcare workers

NHS England and NHS Improvement has issued a letter providing an update on the vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) for all healthcare workers.

The Government passed legislation requiring vaccination as a condition of deployment which was due to come in from 1 April 2022. However, the Secretary of State has announced that this is being reconsidered.

The Government’s decision is subject to Parliamentary process and will require further consultation and a vote to be passed into legislation.

This change in Government policy means NHS England and NHS Improvement is requesting that employers do not serve notice of termination to employees affected by the VCOD regulations.

Further information is available in the letter.

Vaccination is a key pillar in infection control and disease prevention. RPS actively and strongly encourages all pharmacists to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccination programme and to get vaccinated unless there is a medical reason not to do so.