Unjabbed midwife fears losing her job over compulsory vaccines for NHS staff

An unjabbed midwife is concerned she will be sacked from her job after she chose not to have a Covid jab because she has a heart condition.   

NHS workers face mandatory vaccination as a condition of employment from 1 April.  But Erika Thompson, an independent midwife from Hampshire, has chosen not to get a jab because she has heart inflammation conditions.  

Ms Thompson, who had Covid previously, is not against vaccines but is concerned her personal health could suffer after seeing evidence of very rare cases where people with heart inflammation were affected by the jabs. 

This is despite The British Heart Foundation’s recommendation that people with heart inflammation or a history of the condition take the vaccine.

Speaking to the BBC, she said: ‘I don’t want to not be a midwife anymore. I feel like it’s part of who I am. But I also feel strongly that a mandate is not the way forward and that it’s infringing on our human rights to make these decisions.’ 

Ms Thompson, who also works at her local NHS unit when they need staff, is concerned that new rules on NHS employment will affect the public.

She said that the organisation cannot afford to lose staff or their years of experience and it will be ‘decimated’ if staff are sacked. 

Ms Thompson said after having Covid she has got natural immunity and wondered why it is not being considered in the equation. 

But Professor Adam Finn, a government vaccine advisor, has said immunity against serious illness, gained by getting Covid, wanes faster than protection from jabs and according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), jabs are the ‘best defence’ against the virus.

There are around 90 per cent of NHS workers who are already vaccinated but in the south region there are 7,000 staff who have not had one jab.

The Royal College of Midwives and Unison support staff getting jabbed but are against making vaccination mandatory. 

A DHSC spokesperson said: ‘NHS and care staff do amazing work and we are thankful to those who have chosen to get the vaccine.

‘Health and social care workers are responsible for looking after some of the most vulnerable people in society, many of whom are more likely to suffer serious health consequences if exposed to the virus.

‘This is about patient safety, and ensuring people in hospital or care have as much protection as possible.’

Ms Thompson, who also works at her local NHS unit when they need staff, is concerned that new rules on NHS employment will affect the public (stock image)