Front-line medical and social care staff in England must receive COVID-19 vaccinations to or lose their jobs, the UK government announced on Tuesday. In a statement to the House of Commons, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that all those working in the National Health Service (NHS) and social care will have to get vaccinated. “We must avoid preventable harm and protect patients in the NHS, protect colleagues in the NHS, and of course protect the NHS itself,” he told MPs. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the mandate will apply to health and social care workers who have “direct, face-to-face contact” with patients—such as doctors, nurses, dentists, and domiciliary care workers, unless they are exempt. The rule will also apply to porters or receptionists who may have social contact with patients. Javid said staff will not be required to have a winter flu vaccination, though the option …