In the UK we operate a system of informed consent for vaccinations, meaning that we provide as much information as possible about vaccines to individuals, who must then consent for themselves to receive the dose. There are exceptional circumstances where certain vaccinations are a condition of employment, but no vaccine in this country is compulsory, and it is your choice whether you receive the vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccine saves lives and studies have shown it has been clearly effective in reducing deaths and hospitalisations. Its rollout has been prioritised to reduce infections or the severity of infections in those who are most at risk from the illness. It is vital that everyone who is eligible receives the vaccine, and booster vaccine, to protect themselves, their community and the country as we work to defeat this virus, which has caused so much suffering and taken too many lives.
It is right, therefore, that the Government continues to make every effort to encourage people to take up the offer of the vaccine, by emphasising the protections it affords, working with community leaders to assuage concerns, and removing barriers to access. I have been assured that the Government does not intend to introduce vaccination as a condition of deployment for any other workforces beyond health and social care, nor introduce mandatory vaccination for the general population.
I also appreciate the concerns raised about Premier League football player vaccination rates. Vaccines remain our best line of defence against COVID-19 and I welcome the increase in take up of vaccination amongst Premier League players. I join my ministerial colleagues in encouraging everyone - including footballers - to take up the offers of vaccination, including boosters. I am encouraged that Richard Masters, the Premier League Chief Executive, has asked clubs to "strongly encourage" players to get vaccinated. I also understand that football authorities are working with players to understand why some are vaccine hesitant.
Vaccines save lives and are our way out of this pandemic and I urge everybody to accept the offer of vaccination.