Consulting on mandatory vaccinations

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has called for optometry to be included in a recently launched government consultation on proposals to mandate Covid-19 and flu vaccinations for frontline health and social care workers in England.

‘Any proposal that considers whether frontline staff in health and wider care settings in England should be required to have Covid-19 and flu vaccines must include optometry,’ said AOP chief executive Adam Sampson.

'During the pandemic our members have shown time and time again the vital role they play providing face-to-face patient care.'

Sampson added, while hospital optometrists would be required to be vaccinated under current proposals, it was unclear whether this would be extended to community optometrists.