Vulnerable being denied jabs by anti-vax relatives

Healthcare professionals are not challenging families enough, legal experts claim (PA)

- REBECCA THOMAS

People with learning disabilities and those with dementia are being denied vaccines by anti-vaxxer carers and families, as concerns are raised over gaps in NHS oversight. Several reports have been received by The Independent warning some vulnerable people who lack mental capacity, such as those with severe Vulnerable being denied jabs by anti-vax relatives learning disabilities, are being denied vaccines by carers and family members.

Legal experts have raised concerns that healthcare professionals are failing to challenge these refusals, while in some cases where the decision is challenged, it is taking months to reach the Court of Protection.

One senior GP leader has suggested loopholes in the NHS’s vaccination-recording system mean jab centres can easily avoid challenging families where they refuse vaccines for vulnerable patients.

Aasya Mughal, director of Mental Capacity Act training firm, Edge Training, told The Independent: “We have heard of numerous examples of people that lack the mental capacity to give or refuse consent to the Covid-19 vaccination, not being vaccinated because a relative objects.

“Regrettably, in these examples, the professionals involved in the person’s health and social care did not take the steps necessary to make a prompt application to the Court of Protection.”

She added that relatives may have reasons to object to the vaccine for their loved ones but if the vaccine is considered to be in the person’s best interests by a medical professional, an application should be made to the Court of Protection.