Almost 300 staff have left their jobs in Hertfordshire care homes in the run-up to mandatory vaccination.

From November 11, care home staff have been required to have had two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine or have a medical exemption.

The majority of care home staff in the county – 97 per cent – are now reported to have been double-vaccinated.

But in the eight weeks before vaccination became mandatory, it has emerged that 297 staff opted to leave their care home jobs.

And last week there were still more than 200 care home staff who had had to be redeployed in the short term, while they wait to have their second jab.

Officials at Hertfordshire County Council accept that there may now be staff shortages in some care homes.

A spokesperson said: "The wellbeing of people receiving care is our priority and where we know there may be staff shortages in residential or nursing homes, we have worked with local agencies to make sure that staff are deployed in a timely way so that the quality and continuity of care is not disrupted."

They added where staff are still waiting to receive their second dose, the council had worked with providers to redeploy them into non-care roles, until they can legally provide this support to residents.

The council said some care home staff had left for reasons other than compulsory vaccination.

The spokesperson added: "We hope that the pandemic has shown just how vital social care is to so many people, for this reason we’re continuing to encourage anyone who feels that they could make a difference to people’s lives to consider a career in care.

"You can find out more and apply at www.hertsgoodcare.com."