HUNDREDS of NHS workers in Worcestershire risk losing their jobs due to not having had a coronavirus jab.

The deadline for staff to be double-jabbed is March 31 but, due to the gaps needed between doses, workers will need to have received their first vaccination by February 3 to have both in time.

If they haven't under new rules, coming into force in April, NHS workers face the sack - although there have been some suggestions they may end up being redeployed to other roles.

The latest figures show Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has 312 staff who had no coronavirus vaccine.

This is the most up-to-date data up to December 8.

The data also shows that of the 7,175 NHS workers working in various roles including clinical and administrative, 4,909 were triple vaccinated.

The issue has become topical in recent days after an unvaccinated doctor, Steve James, challenged Health Secretary and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid over compulsory vaccines for healthcare workers.

Earlier this week we spoke to Mirren Brewer, who works as a medical secretary based in Worcester for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, who said she had not had a jab and now faced losing her job.

The 38-year-old said: "I'm not having the jab because I believe in freedom of choice and I don't want to consign myself to a life of getting vaccinated and boosted."

The Droitwich resident added she was also turning it down as she already had Covid antibodies.

READ MORE: 'Heartbroken' NHS worker who won't get jabbed now faces sack

After the story was published readers took to social media to have their say.

Debbie Rogers said: "A massive well done for speaking out. I applaud you."

Mark Bailey said: "Totally her decision. But decisions have consequences."

The NHS encourages people to still get vaccinated even if they have previously had Covid-19 or tested positive for antibodies in the past, and says vaccinations are safe.

Paul Brennan, deputy chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We continue to encourage all our staff to protect themselves, their colleagues and our patients by making sure they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and will do everything we can to support and reassure our staff who have any concerns."