Revoking VCOD updates: consultation, Q&A, vaccines assets

The consultation on revoking the vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) policy is now live: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/revoking-vaccination-as-a-condition-of-deployment-across-all-health-and-social-care

The consultation covers both the CQC-regulated care homes policy, which came into effect on 11 November, and the policy for wider health and social care settings, which is due to come into effect on 1 April. The consultation is open for a week, closing at 11:45pm on 16 February 2022. As stakeholders with expertise in the health and care sectors, we encourage you to respond and to share the consultation through your networks.

Here is a Q&A relating to revocation – I hope you find it useful. Feel free to share this Q&A through your networks. 

Other links you may find helpful in relation to VCOD are:

• Written Ministerial Statement from Sajid Javid (3 Feb)

• Oral statement from Sajid Javid (31 Jan)

• DHSC press release on the decision to revoke VCOD (31 Jan)

Additional materials for social care colleagues

Despite the decision to revoke VCOD, we are clear that vaccination remains our very best line of defence against COVID-19, and all people working in health and social care settings have a professional duty to be vaccinated. We remain committed to the goal of encouraging and supporting as many care staff as possible to get boosted. 

With this in mind, the Vaccine Boosters Taskforce for Social Care has published a new paper to support good practice for driving booster vaccination uptake in England. The paper, Protecting the Adult Social Care sector – Good Practice for Local Booster Vaccination, draws on examples of excellent initiatives to drive booster uptake that are taking place across the country. We are also sharing an updated ASC Winter Vaccines Communications Toolkit. We hope that you find the paper and toolkit beneficial to the crucial work you do.

Finally, please find below a letter for agency staff on the importance of booster vaccinations. If relevant colleagues could cascade the letter through their membership, that would be greatly appreciated. It will also be made available online on the Skills for Care website.