The UK Government has decided that all NHS staff in England who have direct contact with patients must have their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine by February 3 or lose their job at the end of March.

During a visit to London's King's College Hospital, UK Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, asked staff members on the intensive care unit how they felt about the new rules requiring vaccination for NHS workers.

Among the staff questioned was Dr. Steve James, a consultant anesthesiologist, who told Javid "I'm not happy about that."

James went on to explain, "I've had covid at one point. I have antibodies. I've been working on COVID ICU since the beginning. I have not had the vaccination, I do not want the vaccination. The vaccines are reducing transmission only for about eight weeks for Delta, with Omicron it's probably less. And for that I would be dismissed if I don't have a vaccine? The science isn't strong enough."

James suggested the government could "nuance" the rules to allow those who have antibodies acquired from infection to not be required to be vaccinated.

Javid responded to James advice stating, "well we take the very best advice we can, from people who are vaccine experts."