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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Ivan Morris Poxton & Annie Williams

‘Heartbroken’ care worker who refused Covid vaccine breaks down after losing job

A care worker who was sacked from her job due to refusing to be vaccinated against coronavirus broke down after her final shift.

Louise Akester, who was employed tt Alderson House in Hull for three years, has worked within the care sector for 14 years.

However the 36-year-old has now had her contract terminated because of the new government requirement that all care workers be be double-jabbed with the covid vaccine.

Read More: Martin Lewis' warning to everyone with a mobile phone

The new rule, which was announced on August 4, stated that from November 11 all care workers in adult care homes who do not have medical exemptions are double vaccinated against Covid-19.

In the video, filmed on Friday afternoon, tears pour from the Yorkshire woman's face as she speaks just minutes after finishing her final shift, HullLive reports.

In the video Ms Akester said: "That's the hardest thing I've ever had to do, saying goodbye to everybody, all the people that I've cared for, for so long, the people I've worked with. It's been so emotional, this is so unfair.

"I just can't believe what the bloody government is doing to us, I just don't get it, I don't understand."

Ms Akester added: "The residents in there are crying their eyes out.”

While she has refused to be vaccinated, Ms Akester said as part of her job's requirements she was tested three times a week for Covid, wore PPE gear and followed "all guidelines relating to infection control".

She said the situation was "unfair" on care workers like herself who are reluctant to be vaccinated, given that care home residents and their visitors are not also required by the government to receive the vaccine.

But while Ms Akester does not rule out getting the vaccine in the long-term future, she does not intend to be vaccinated now.

Previously explaining why she will not have the vaccine, Ms Akester said: "I'd rather wait until we know more about the potential long-term side effects."

Last week she said she was 'heartbroken at being forced to leave her job despite her manager not wanting to "lose" her and has "no idea" what she will do now after losing her job as a carer.

Since Friday the Hull woman said had been inundated with support since speaking out.

Ms Akester said "I've been swarmed by messages of support and thanks.

"They've contacted from all over nationally, not just Hull.

"Some in the Hull area want to meet up in the future and compare notes on our experiences.

"It's nice to know I'm not alone, that there's other people in my shoes.

"I wish we had something much nicer in common, but it is what it is."

Ms Akester represents the lives of the approximately 40,000 England care home workers who will lose their jobs by November 11, because they have chosen not to be double vaccinated.

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