WITH the government set to mandate that all care home workers to be vaccinated, take up amongst those eligible across Cheshire East and West is slightly higher than the national average.

More than 87 per cent of eligible staff in Cheshire East have had their first dose of the vaccine, while the figure is just above 86 per cent in Cheshire West.

The total number of care home staff reportedly vaccinated is 3,817 for Cheshire East, and 2,694 in Cheshire West. The figures have been published by NHS England and cover vaccinations up to June 6.

Ministers will announce the move to make vaccination mandatory in the coming days, after a consultation was carried out into using staff vaccination in England to protect the most vulnerable from Covid-19.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is known to be in favour of the move, while England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, has said doctors and care workers have a 'professional responsibility' to protect their patients.

Consultation will also begin on whether other health and care workers should also have the jabs.

It comes after concerns that some parts of the country, such as London, have particularly low uptake of vaccines for care home staff.

Overall NHS figures show that 84 per cent of staff in older adult care homes in England have had one dose of vaccine, and almost 69 per cent have had both jabs. Staff are eligible to receive the vaccine if they have not had Covid-19 in the previous 28 days.

Older adult care homes are defined as homes serving people aged 65 and over, based on data held by the Care Quality Commission.

Of the 10,798 care homes in England covered by the data, 10,670 (99 per centThe total eligible to receive the vaccine includes staff who have not received a vaccination for a valid medical reason.

The total eligible to receive the vaccine includes staff who have not received a vaccination for a valid medical reason.