In a move that will likely ignite fresh debate over the scope of employment rights, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced plans to introduce compulsory covid-19 vaccinations for carers working with elderly residents.

The DHSC has launched a five-week consultation which will consider a requirement for care homes to deploy only staff who have been inoculated against covid-19, so as to protect vulnerable older people. Care homes for younger disabled and other vulnerable adults will not be included in the plans.