This is how many NHS staff are unvaccinated in the Midlands

All frontline NHS staff in England will have to be fully vaccinated against Covid, the government is due to announce today.

The decision follows a consultation which began in September. The announcement is being made despite concerns that the NHS could lose some staff.

The number of NHS staff currently unvaccinated across the Midlands is 19,523, as of October 31.

That represents 7.1% of the entire workforce - the second highest percentage in England. The highest percentage of unvaccinated NHS staff is London with 12.3%.

It is expected that a deadline will be set for next spring to give unvaccinated staff time to get both doses, according to news reports.

It is understood that the flu vaccine will not be made compulsory. Care home staff in England were required to be fully vaccinated from November 11.

Are there any further details on the number of NHS staff vaccinated against Covid in the Midlands?

The number of Midlands NHS staff given a first does is: 255,771

The number of Midlands NHS staff given a second dose is: 247,831

The total number of NHS trust care works in NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) is: 275,294

What to England health bosses say about the due announcement?

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has previously told journalists that he was leaning towards compulsory vaccination for NHS staff in England.

He said he did not want the NHS to lose any staff, but said the experience in the social care sector was that the numbers taking up the vaccine "absolutely surged" after it was made compulsory.

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers which represents England’s NHS trusts, urged the government to think carefully about the tone of any announcement, saying unvaccinated staff should not be scapegoated or denigrated.

"We understand why people are vaccine-hesitant. We need to win the argument with them rather than beat them around the head," he said.

The possibility of losing staff was a "real problem" as the NHS runs on fine margins and already relies on staff to work extra shifts, he added.

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