UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Monday that Britain is expected to require staff in the National Health Service to be fully inoculated against COVID-19.

He told Sky News that obligatory vaccines for health workers would help to protect patients, and that he was not deterred by the fact there is already a staff shortage in the health system.

“We are considering it,” he told Sky News. “We’re yet to make a final decision but I am leaning towards doing it.”