The Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine encourage COVID-19 Vaccinations

The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) encourage all their Fellows and Members, as well as other NHS staff and members of the public, to be vaccinated against COVID-19.   

Having been at the forefront of the NHS’s hospital and intensive care response throughout the pandemic, anaesthetists and intensivists have seen that vaccinations have reduced the pressure on the NHS. We note that the overwhelming majority of our members have been vaccinated regardless of prior infection, in line with the scientific evidence. 

Collectively, we need to listen to and acknowledge the concerns of those healthcare workers who have chosen so far not to be vaccinated, so that they are supported to make the best health choices for their patients, their families and themselves.    

A comparison of the protection from prior infection and protection via vaccination is not a matter on which RCoA nor FICM has any expertise. However, we note the advice of experts in epidemiology and virology that the immunity gained from vaccination is stronger and longer lasting than that from infection.