Sajid Javid has announced Covid vaccine jabs will be made mandatory for all NHS England staff from April.
The Health Secretary said that latest figures show 90% of NHS staff have had at least two doses of the vaccine.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Javid said the “overwhelming majority” had made the “positive choice” to take up the jab.
He added that despite this "we must all keep doing our bit to encourage eligible people to up their defences”.
Sajid Javid explains reason behind making Covid jab mandatory for NHS staff
He said: "I've carefully considered the responses and the evidence and I've concluded that the scale is clearly tipped to one side.
"The weight of the data shows our vaccinations have kept people safe and they have saved lives."
As a result, the Health Secretary concluded that all 1.2 million NHS staff in England will need to vaccinated by April 1.
He added: "Only those who can show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can be employed or engaged in those settings.”
Exceptions to the rule that all NHS staff will need to be vaccinated
Mr Javid outlined two exceptions to the rule.
Those who do not have face-to-face contact with patients and those who are medically exempt from taking the vaccine.
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