A TEARFUL NHS worker is refusing to be vaccinated despite the big risk she now could lose her job.

Mirren Brewer says she feels the government is 'blackmailing' her and other unvaccinated NHS staff as the deadline fast approaches for when NHS workers must, by law, have received two jabs to stay in their job.

Under new rules, coming into force in April, NHS workers face the sack if they don't get jabbed - although there have been some suggestions they may end up being redeployed to other roles.

Mrs Brewer, who works as a medical secretary based in Worcester for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "I'm heartbroken, I could lose my job.

"The voices of unvaccinated NHS workers are not being heard.

"I'm not having the jab because I believe in freedom of choice and I don't want to consign myself to a life of getting vaccinated and boosted."

Mrs Brewer, aged 38, say she doesn't feel it fair to demand she has the jab because she already has antibodies from when she previously suffered from Covid. She also believes that it is not reasonable to require the vaccination because protection may only last a few weeks and she is also worried about any adverse side effects.

The Droitwich resident said there was now a lot of uncertainty over her job.

"They have said there is a chance of redeployment, but there is no guarantee," Mrs Brewer said.

"I'm not patient facing, but were are told we fall under the scope of regulations regardless. One minute they are clapping us the next they're blackmailing us.

"I love my job, I have broken down in tears over this."

The mum-of-two said: "I believe the risk is greater than the thing they are meant to be protecting us from, especially when you have already had Covid."

The deadline for staff to be double-jabbed is March 31, but workers will need to have received their first vaccination by February 3 to have the vaccination in time.

The NHS encourages people to still get vaccinated even if they have previously had Covid-19 or tested positive for antibodies in the past, and says vaccinations are safe.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said it wouldn't comment on individual cases, but added: “NHS and care staff do amazing work and we are thankful to those who have chosen to get the vaccine.

“Vaccinations remain our best defence against Covid. This is about patient safety and ensuring we are doing everything we can to reduce risk for vulnerable people.

"There are no plans to change the implementation dates.”

Paul Brennan, deputy chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We continue to encourage all our staff to protect themselves, their colleagues and our patients by making sure they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and will do everything we can to support and reassure our staff who have any concerns.

"Once the detailed guidance is released we will explore any possibilities for redeploying unvaccinated staff. However, our priority must be the safety of our patients and colleagues and would urge anyone who is not yet fully vaccinated to get the jab as soon as possible.”