ONE in 22 care home staff in Hampshire have not received a single dose of the Covid vaccine – as the deadline for compulsory jabs looms.

From November 11, employees will be required by law to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus to work.

NHS England data shows 650 of the 14,378 people working in older adult care homes in the county were yet to receive a dose on October 24 – the latest available data.

It means 5% of care home staff in the area face losing their jobs next week.

A further 1,205 workers who had received their first dose were still awaiting their second jab just over a fortnight before the deadline.

Southampton City Council has been urging staff to get inoculated before the deadline.

A spokesperson said: "If you work or volunteer in a CQC registered care home, you will not be able to enter unless you are fully vaccinated from November 11.

"Vaccination offers the best protection against the virus for both staff and care home residents."

Last month, the council confirmed those who do not meet the deadline will be redeployed to different sectors based on their skills and preferred choice of future career.

"Currently within Southampton City Council we are actively attempting to redeploy any of our care staff who are currently not vaccinated, as well as those who do not wish to be vaccinated," said a spokesperson for the authority.

"At present we do not have precise up to date knowledge of the provider market although we are carefully monitoring it as all care workers who come into contact with residents need to be vaccinated. Vaccination offers the best protection against the virus for both staff and care home residents."

Trade unions across the country are calling on the government to scrap the 'no jab, no job' rule for care home staff.