Government to pay for care staff to get vaccines and boosters in work time

The Scottish Government has pledged to pay adult care workers costs to get vaccinated in working time so they do not lose money or annual leave.

A person receiving a Covid-19 jab. (Kirsty O’Connor/PA) (PA Wire)

Adult care home staff and those working in social care will not lose out financially if they are vaccinated during working time, the Scottish Government says.

A spokesperson said: “Financial support is available for adult care providers who incur additional costs if employees are vaccinated in working time – so staff can do so without losing earnings or having to take annual leave.”

Scottish Government figures show that rates of uptake of the booster vaccine are currently lower among social care staff, with 47.7% of frontline social care workers and 54.8% of care home staff having had their booster, than they are in other sectors such as frontline healthcare workers – 72%.

I want to encourage every single social care worker to get themselves vaccinated

Humza Yousaf Scottish Health Minister

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I want to thank everyone working in social care who has taken up the offer of vaccination, and has had a booster jag.

“But I want to encourage every single social care worker to get themselves vaccinated.

“Even if you’ve been double-vaccinated, we know your immunity against Covid-19 wanes over time.

“Getting your booster is even more important with the emergence of the Omicron variant.

“Please do so as soon as possible.”