Around 77,000 NHS staff could face being redeployed or dismissed.
The Government is reportedly preparing to make a major u-turn over mandatory Covid-19 vaccines for NHS staff.
Front-line healthcare workers in England must have received two vaccines by 1 April, meaning they need a first dose by Thursday.
If they are not jabbed by April, around 77,000 NHS staff could face being redeployed or dismissed.
Last week, the Health Secretary said the requirement was being “kept under review” but that it was the “duty” of NHS staff to get vaccinated.
It comes amid concerns the new could decimate the NHS workforce at a time when services are already experiencing acute on chronic staffing shortages.
It is understood that no final decisions have been made but senior Government officials are set to meet today to discuss the matter.
A long overdue climbdown.
Health unions have been calling to scrap the requirement since it was first discussed.
The Department of Health and Social Care has previously insisted the policy was “the right thing to do to protect patients” after social care workers were subject to a similar mandate last year.
Royal College of Nursing Director for England Patricia Marquis, said: “If these reports are correct, this climbdown by government is long overdue.
“Vaccination is hugely important but this was the wrong policy, especially as it added to the current pressure on NHS and care services.
“It was never in the interests of patient safety to threaten tens of thousands with dismissal in the middle of staffing crisis.
“We will continue to support government and employers to make the case for vaccination.”
