NHS staff in England who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 could start being sacked in a little over two weeks, it is reported.
Frontline staff in England need to have had two jabs by April 1 and this means the first dose needs to have been given by February 3, the Telegraph reports.
It says six per cent of the work force - 80,000 people - remain unvaccinated.
NHS guidance to employers says unvaccinated frontline staff should start being called into formal meetings from February 4 and warned they could be dismissed.
The paper reports that dismissal notices will start being issued from that day, with the notice period ending on March 31.
Prof Stephen Powis, the NHS England national medical director said: "The NHS has always been clear that the life-saving Covid vaccination is the best protection against the virus and, while it is currently a recommendation for health and care staff to be vaccinated, it will soon become a legal requirement.
"The overwhelming majority of staff in NHS organisations, nine in 10, have already had their second jab, and NHS employers will continue to support and encourage staff who have not yet been vaccinated to take up the offer of the first and second doses ahead of April 1, when regulations come into effect."
The Royal College of Nursing has called for a delay to the new law on mandatory Covid-19 testing for NHS staff in England.
Pat Cullen, RCN's General Secretary & Chief Executive, said: “Nothing matters more to a nurse than caring for their patients safely. Right now, our members are telling me they can’t always do that.
“We’re calling on the government to recognise this risk and delay a move which, by its own calculations, looks set to backfire. To dismiss valued nursing staff during this crisis would be an act of self-sabotage.
“Encouraging people to get vaccinated is the best way to boost vaccine take-up. Nursing staff, who are well-placed to understand people’s concerns and are highly trusted by them, have led the COVID-19 vaccination programme and have a key role to play in addressing any concerns people may have about being vaccinated.”
