Several leading businesses and industry bodies in the UK have jointly called for their respective workforces to accept the Covid-19 vaccine when eligible.
Nine of the UK’s largest employers nationally have stepped up to promote the vaccination programme and actively called on their collective 240,000 employees to receive the vaccine when asked, even if during work hours.
They say that increased take-up of vaccines will help keep workplaces and staff safe.
Household names such as IKEA, Asda, Slimming World, Metro Bank, Procter & Gamble UK, Santander, Nationwide, Severn Trent and Merlin Entertainments are among those who have encouraged their employees to receive the jab.
Industry bodies such as the British Beer and Pub Association and Builders Merchants Federation have also pledged their support to the awareness campaign, hoping to spread the message to over a million more individuals.
The businesses and industry bodies have also promised that they will promote positive messages about the safety of vaccines and direct doubtful staff to NHS-verified advice to help combat misinformation.
They have also agreed to be flexible with staff who go forward to receive the vaccine, with many offering paid time off work as well as standard sick pay for those who suffer from minor side effects upon receipt of the jab.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, commented: “Our vaccination programme has so far saved thousands of lives, protecting our loved ones and bringing down infection rates to a point where we can see normality on the horizon.
“It’s fantastic that employers are prioritising the safety of their staff and doing all they can to encourage people to get vaccinated. I urge everyone to get their vaccines when they get the call so we can beat this pandemic together.”
Vaccine deployment minister Nadhim Zahawi added:
“Vaccines save lives, they protect you and your loved ones from this terrible virus and they are the best way out of this pandemic.
“Thank you to all of the organisations which have joined this incredibly important campaign to promote vaccine uptake. I call on every business in the UK, no matter how big or small, to join the national charge and help your employees to access life-saving jabs when they are eligible.”
As of May 14, 54 million vaccines had been administered in the UK, with people aged 38 and over now within the eligible category.
As well as being far less likely to contract Covid-19 with severe symptoms and become seriously ill, evidence suggests that vaccinated individuals are less likely to transmit the virus.
The government as of May 14 had hit its target of offering over 50s, the clinically vulnerable and health and social care workers a first vaccine dose by April 15 and remains on course to offer the jab to all adults in the UK by the end of July.
Westminster has also urged all UK organisations to raise awareness internally on the benefits of being vaccinated and direct staff to NHS-verified sources to help combat vaccine misinformation.
