COVID-19 Update 32 

Supporting our people during COVID-19 – Vaccination offer  

Evidence from the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) references increased risk factors associated with COVID-19 linked to age, sex, ethnicity, underlying health conditions (clinically extremely vulnerable & clinically vulnerable) and pregnancy. Research from FOM and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych)  identifies a risk of greater susceptibility to COVID-19 infection, morbidity and mortality rates for BAME staff. Further information about the risks for our staff can be found in the Risk-Reduction-Framework-for-NHS-staff-at-risk-of-COVID-19-infection and the Impact-of-covid19-on-bame-staff-in-mental-healthcare-settings_assessment-and-management-of-risk).

We appreciate that receiving the vaccine is a personal choice and a big decision, and that some of you may have questions and concerns. 

To enable you to make an informed decision about whether to have the vaccine, here are our Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions.   Second dose vaccinations will be arranged by the original host organisation in due course and within the 12 week timescale from original dose.

We also recognise that there are some of you who may not be eligible to receive the vaccine, for example, if you have tested positive for COVID-19 for the last 28 days or have allergies resulting in anaphylaxis or hospital admission, etc.  However, your personal circumstances may have changed and the clinical inclusion criteria may have been updated since the vaccine was first offered to you so I would encourage you to visit the FAQ link above or access advice from the suggested list below.

If you have any concerns about COVID-19, including receiving the vaccine or being exempt from receiving the vaccine, lots of support is available to you as part of Supporting our people during COVID-19.  Support includes:

1. Supportive conversations between yourself and your line manager as part of your 121 meetings and / or supervision.  
2. Individual risk assessments - This includes the updated risk assessment is available within LMS using the following link - LMS and the DSE self-risk assessment for people working from home
3. Occupational Health
4. Staff support  - (a) Staff Support Counselling Services and (b) Health & Wellbeing resources to support you through Covid-19  
5. Strengthening Infection Prevention and Control

We hope that this helps you by making you aware of the support available with regards to the COVID-19 vaccine and looking after your health and wellbeing generally during this really difficult time.

Shajeda