COVID-19 vaccination as condition of deployment: Q&A

Introduction

From 11 November 2021, anyone working or volunteering in a care home will need to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19), unless they are exempt under the regulations.

Temporary self-certification arrangements were introduced in September 2021. On a temporary basis people working or volunteering in care homes who have a medical reason why they are unable to have a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to self-certify that they meet the medical exemption criteria. These temporary arrangements will run out on 24 December 2021 (12 weeks after the formal system became available).

The formal guidance on how to apply for medical exemptions was announced on 30 September and published on 1 October 2021.

This Q&A is based on Care Provider Alliance (CPA) webinars held in August and September 2021, and publicly available Government documents.

The answers provided here are based on CQC and NHSE responses and do not necessarily reflect the Care Provider Alliance’s position.

This document will be updated as we receive more detailed information. Please return to our website pages on COVID vaccination as a condition of deployment on a regular basis.