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Chinwe would rather lose his job than take the coronary vaccine

Chinwe Uzobude is a bit tired after 12 hours of night shift. Ideally, she should get some sleep before embarking on a new 12-hour shift, but what she is going to be part of is too important.

For the first time in his 47-year life, Uzobude will participate in a demonstration.

– I want to be with my colleagues and raise my voice. Tell that I should be given a choice, that I myself should be able to choose what goes into my body, says Uzobude to TV 2.

PROTEST: Health workers at Queen´s Hospital in Romford demonstrate against vaccine orders. Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2

She is wearing a blue hoodie with the inscription: “NHS staff for freedom of choice” on the back.

Vaccination obligation from 1 April

Uzobude has worked in the health service for 16 years, eight of them as an intensive care nurse at Queen´s Hospital in the London borough of Romford.

DEMONSTRATES: Unvaccinated nurses in England demonstrate because they get fired if they do not take coronary vaccine.  Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2

DEMONSTRATES: Unvaccinated nurses in England demonstrate because they get fired if they do not take coronary vaccine. Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2

But now it may be over. The British government has decided to introduce a vaccine requirement for all health workers in the first line from 1 April, and the requirement is clear: Take the vaccine or lose your job.

As early as 3 February, several English health trusts are announcing that they will send letters of resignation to those who have not taken the first dose.

It is estimated that about 70,000 health workers, or about 4.9 percent, will still be unvaccinated by 1 April.

PROTESTING: Health workers demonstrate against the upcoming vaccine order in London.

– I understand that this vaccine can be useful for me. Yes, I understand that it can protect me for a short period of time, but I do not want to take it because I do not feel safe in it, says Uzobude.

– But do you as a health worker not have a special responsibility to protect yourself and thus protect patients?

– And I do it by using infection control equipment. I wear a face mask, face shield, protective suit and gloves. In that way, I protect the patients from getting what I possibly have, Uzobude answers, and adds.

– I also get tested regularly and have undergone coronary heart disease.

DEMONSTRATION: Intensive care nurse Chinwe Uzobude demonstrates with colleagues outside the workplace.  Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2

DEMONSTRATION: Intensive care nurse Chinwe Uzobude demonstrates with colleagues outside the workplace. Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2

The 47-year-old feels let down by the government.

– First they clapped for health professionals, and now they want to kick them? I feel betrayed because I have no choice. I am not allowed to choose for myself, and my freedom to choose has been taken away from me.

– Extra responsibility

The issue of vaccine requirements for healthcare professionals has led to debate in England.

The management at several hospitals has gone out and sounded the alarm that the vaccine requirement can lead to staffing problems. So do unions.

According to the newspaper Independent the authorities are now considering whether the vaccine order should be postponed due to the staffing situation.

But many also support the requirement and believe it is necessary to increase the vaccination rate, as well as protect patients.

– The coronavirus has come to stay, and then we have to protect the most vulnerable groups in society, says virologist Elisabetta Groppelli.

Groppelli has studied viruses for 16 years, and works as a virologist at St. George’s University of London. She believes that the vaccine obligation is a necessary measure.

-NECESSARY: Virologist Elisabetta Groppelli believes that a vaccination obligation is necessary for health workers.  Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2

-NECESSARY: Virologist Elisabetta Groppelli believes that a vaccination obligation is necessary for health workers. Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2

– I think health professionals have a greater responsibility in their profession than others, their job is to take care of other people, says Groppelli.

– That the vaccine is not a top priority for absolutely all health workers, I think is strange. It is almost disappointing that it is necessary to resort to a vaccine order.

– Will take the consequence

Chinwe Uzobude is prepared to take the consequence of the choice not to take the coronary vaccine.

UNVACCINATED: Chinwe Uzobude is prepared to face the consequences of its resistance to the coronary vaccine.  Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2

UNVACCINATED: Chinwe Uzobude is prepared to face the consequences of its resistance to the coronary vaccine. Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2

– I love my job and would like to continue to help other people. But after all; if they demand that I have to take the syringe to keep the job, I will stop, says Uzobude.

– But it will be with a heavy heart.

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