Unvaccinated NHS face the sack in just over two weeks without redundancy pay, but some East Lancashire residents have described the move as ‘disgusting’.

In December, MPs approved mandatory vaccinations for NHS and social care staff by April this year.

All frontline staff will be required to have had at least two jabs by April 1 meaning frontline employees would have had to have received their first jab by February 3.

We asked readers on social media how they felt about the move and here is a flavour of the responses. 

Janine Allison believes staff should have to be vaccinated. She said: “Um… yes? They’re not being made ‘redundant’, the notification of the April deadline started circulating November/December.

“The NHS is a public sector service that is determined by changes to the law - a mandatory vaccination program being one of them.”

Janet Barnes agreed saying: “Yes totally as vaccine is free so no excuse, however as the NHS is understaffed this will give them a bigger staffing crisis.”

Emma Davis commented: “It was fine by the government to have all staff in when the pandemic was in full force! So much for looking after all our care workers? It's a personal decision.

While Julie Davies said: “This is disgusting!

“These are the same frontline staff who stepped up when most of the country were furloughed or working from home.

“The same frontline staff who the PM and the rest of the country clapped for every Thursday evening.

“And now are to be thrown on the scrap heap, because they're deemed unacceptable if not vaccinated!

“It really beggars belief.”

Deborah Abbott said: “Think back to clapping on the doorstep, and rainbows in the windows saying thank you. Think back to them being called heroes, and essential frontline workers who are keeping the country going. Think back to the headlines about their paltry pay, while big wigs coined it in.

“Think back to them having to look after infectious, and dying, people without even correct PPE or support.

“Fair??? Anyone who thinks it is fair to do this needs to give their head a big fat wobble, and think about if they or their loved ones needed care, would they rather have to pay for it privately or get no care at all.

“It is discriminatory, hypocritical, downright insulting, and stealth privatisation at its finest!”