Health Secretary Sajid Javid has announced a U-turn to the controversial Vaccination mandate.
On the 31st of January 2022 - Four days before the cut-off date for health workers to have had one dose of the Vaccine, Mr. Javid announced this U-turn. The health secretary made the announcement this afternoon.
Mr. Javid said: “Given that delta has been replaced its only right that our policy on vaccination as a condition of employment is reviewed. So I asked for fresh advice including from the UK Health Security Agency and England's Chief Medical Officer in weighing up the risks and opportunities of this policy once again there are two new factors. The first is that our population as a whole is now better protected against hospitalization from covid-19. Omicrons increased infectiousness means that at the peak of the most recent winter spike 1 in 15 people had a covid-19 infection according to the ONS. Around 24% of England's population has had at least one positive covid-19 test and as of today in England 84% of people over 12 have had a primary course of covid-19 vaccines and 64% have been boosted including over 90% of over 50s. The second factor is that the dominant variant- omicron- is intrinsically less severe. when taken together with the first factor that we now have greater population protection the evidence shows that the risk of predication of emergency care or hospital admission with omicron is approximately half of that for delta. Given these dramatic changes, it is not only right but responsible to revisit the balance of risk and opportunities that guided our original decisions last year. Well, vaccination remains our very best line of defence against covid-19, I believe it is no longer proportionate to require vaccination as a condition of deployment through statutes. So Madame Deputy Speaker today I am announcing that we will launch a consultation on ending vaccination as a condition of deployment in health and all social care settings."
Following a lengthy battle by NHS healthcare workers through protest, the controversial ruling of Mandatory Vaccinations has been overturned. The ruling is monumental as it means that NHS workers will no longer require proof of vaccinations in order work for the NHS. Thousands of people will no longer lose their jobs.
Lawyers Arts Club feel content about today’s decision as Vaccinationism has been a key influence of many of our Artworks. Not to mention the immense admiration we feel towards NHS workers for the sacrifices they have made during the duration of the Coronavirus pandemic. We are proud of the minor role we have played in the run up to today’s decision. As an organisation we believe in the power of Art to bring change, Art is a vessel with which we open necessary discussions.
It would of course be remiss of us not to mention the detrimental repercussions that have already been experienced because of this ruling, as many healthcare workers have already taken the Vaccines through fear of job loss and pressure from their colleagues. A substantial number of healthcare professionals have felt intense prejudice because of having these vaccines enforced onto them. For many this ruling will come too late.
However, today is cause for celebration as the NHS 100K Protests throughout the UK have had a successful impact in today’s decision. This means that many will feel a profound sense of relief from today’s ruling, The many thousands who marched in the streets will no doubt feel an overwhelming sense of solace this afternoon. These protests were not in vain; their voices were in fact heard and a decision has been made.
Co-founder of the Lawyers Arts Club, Alexander Mahrra made this comment in response to this monumental U-turn “We are happy that there has been a U-turn on this mandate. However, we know that many are still at threat of losing their jobs. We stand with all those that have been affected by vaccinationism.”
Throughout the past few months, the Lawyers Arts Club has been creating reactive artwork to address the upcoming Vaccine mandate and we are relieved with today’s decision by the health secretary. We believe the part we have played in supporting these health workers has been paramount in documenting the protests and pivotal to today’s announcement.
Many will be feeling immense relief from today’s ruling including colleagues of NHS workers and indeed patients and healthcare professionals. Had it not been for today’s historic U-turn; the NHS would have suffered immense loss as thousands were set to become unemployed.
At the Lawyers Art Club, we celebrate these healthcare workers in our artwork and wish to commemorate NHS staff by offering free prints to those affected. As an Art organisation based in Law, we are interested in depicting current events and opening discussions about issues that affect a majority. The No Jab No Job ruling proposed numerous ethical concerns as it used the Covid-19 Vaccines as mandatory tools against its workers with the threat of becoming unemployed if they did not comply.
Medicine is supposed to help people, Vaccines play a key role of general health for the public and should be chosen not enforced.
Our current exhibition “Bold” tackle's themes of Vaccinationism and is currently being displayed at our gallery in Birmingham City Centre.
Article by Dana Archer.
