Covid-19 Death Toll Surpasses 5 Million as Javid Defends Vaccine Mandate

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has sparked controversy by stating that care home workers who refuse to get vaccinated should "get out and get another job," as the global death toll from Covid-19 surpasses 5 million. Javid's comments come as vulnerable individuals, including those with weakened immune systems, continue to struggle to access third doses of the vaccine. Charities have expressed concerns that thousands of immunosuppressed patients are still waiting for a third dose, a month after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended an extra dose.

Key Takeaways:

• Health Secretary Sajid Javid has stated that care home workers who refuse to get vaccinated should "get out and get another job," sparking controversy over the vaccine mandate.
• The global death toll from Covid-19 has surpassed 5 million, with an average of 8,000 deaths reported daily across the world over the last week.
• Over half a million people in the UK are immunosuppressed and are unlikely to be protected from Covid-19, even after two doses of vaccine.
• Charities, including Kidney Care UK and Blood Cancer UK, have expressed concern that vulnerable patients are still waiting for third doses of the vaccine.
• NHS England has stated that eligible patients should be offered the third doses by the end of next week, but charities are warning of a "huge amount of stress, anxiety, and frustration" amongst vulnerable patients.
• The Delta variant is now the dominant strain around the globe and has been reported in 187 out of 194 World Health Organization member countries.
• More than half of the world has yet to receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to Our World in Data.

Statistics:

• Over 5 million people have died as a result of Covid-19 globally.
• An average of 8,000 deaths were reported daily across the world over the last week.
• Over half a million people in the UK are immunosuppressed.
• 187 out of 194 World Health Organization member countries have reported the Delta variant.
• More than half of the world has yet to receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Sources:

• "Javid: Care home workers who are not prepared to get the Covid vaccine should 'get out and get another job'" by Alexandra Topping in The Guardian.
• "Vulnerable people feel 'completely let down' by third dose rollout" by The BBC.
• "The number of people who have died across the globe as a result of coronavirus has passed more than 5 million" by Reuters.
• "Our World in Data: COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage" by Our World in Data.