A last-minute delay to the Covid vaccine mandate for NHS staff merely kicks the problem down the road

Policy of mandatory Covid vaccinations for both health and care staff has been poorly thought through, writes Rebecca Thomas

All staff will be required to have had at least one jab by 3 February under the plan (Getty Images)

In the past two weeks, the Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Nurses and Royal College of GPs have all called for the government to delay its deadline for all NHS staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Under the incoming law, all staff will be required to have had one jab by 3 February – less than two weeks away – and two jabs by April.

The government is now considering a delay to the deadlines but senior NHS England sources suggested the move would simply be kicking the can down the road. The Independent has been told of proposals – previously been floated by ministers – that include delaying the deadline until June, but with an added booster jab requirement. Meanwhile,The Times has reported the government is expected to hold the line on its April deadline.