NHS medics have started wearing purple ribbons to signal their opposition to Sajid Javid’s order that all healthcare staff must have a Covid jab.
A Twitter account called NHS100k, which has 16,000 followers, has posted pictures of nurses, radiologists and vascular scientists all wearing purple bows in defiance of the Health Secretary in the past week.
The account says: ‘So many wonderful healthcare staff are showing solidarity and uniting together in support of stopping these mandates.’
It retweeted a picture of nurse Hannah Gardner, who said: ‘Good enough through the pandemic on the front line for two years, but soon to be sacked for not wanting the Covid jabs just yet. My body, my choice. Wearing my purple ribbon with pride.’
The account was co-founded by Jay Weston, 30, an emergency medical technician from Cheshire. He told The Mail on Sunday that he and group of paramedics chose purple as a neutral colour to ‘encourage discussion between staff who feel isolated for choosing not to receive a vaccine’.
From April, NHS medics will need to have had at least two Covid jabs to go to work if their role involves ‘direct contact with patients’, unless they have an exemption. The requirement will also apply to those working in general practice, private hospitals, community services, and any other health or care organisation regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
