The vaccine mandate

All staff who work in health and social care settings regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will have to be fully vaccinated by April 1, 2022, as announced by England’s secretary of state for health and social care, Sajid Javid. Unless medically exempt, or in a non-patient facing role, all staff will need to have both Covid-19 vaccinations as a precaution to protect NHS patients and colleagues from infection and avoidable harm. This comes after the government made it a legal requirement for all care home staff to be vaccinated from November 11, 2021. The latest announcement will apply to the majority of the dental team, including receptionists. Dental practice/business owners will need to consider the ways this will affect their patients, their team and their practice.