Healthcare students have started to receive vaccinations while on placements. Universities may be asked for information on vaccination by students. We aim to provide signposting to relevant information here. This will be updated as we learn more.
Are vaccinations mandatory?
It is not mandatory for healthcare students to receive a Covid vaccination but there are good reasons to accept it, particularly if working in healthcare. The Government is working on public information campaigns to explain the vaccine and promote it to the population. The professional regulators have also provided comprehensive guidance, which takes account of both professional responsibilities and individual circumstances .
NMC guidance
The NMC has provided information on vaccination. It highlights the requirements of the Code and its standards and states that it would expect the majority of professionals on its register to be vaccinated
HCPC guidance
The HCPC has also provided useful information about vaccination. Whilst the HCPC does not mandate that registrants be vaccinated, it says that the potential risks of exposure transmission to vulnerable service users when working in healthcare means it would strongly encourage registrants to be vaccinated, unless there are good reasons why vaccination is not appropriate in a registrant’s individual circumstances.
Government resources
Public Health England has a wide range of resources on vaccination. This includes resources targeted at health and social care workers. The main leaflet for healthcare workers may be particularly useful.
Public Health Wales (PHW) has published FAQs on vaccination protection for health and social care staff.
RCN resources
The RCN has compiled vaccination FAQs, encouraging its members to take up the Covid-19 vaccine.
Response to concerns about vaccine impact on fertility
The Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have clarified that there is no evidence that the Covid-19 vaccine impacts fertility.