The Health Secretary said they are having a ‘damaging impact’ on others, particularly patients in need of healthcare.
He said 10% of the eligible population – more than five million people – still had not received their jabs, and around nine out of 10 of those needing the most care in hospital were unvaccinated.
Speaking on Sky News, he said: ‘I just cannot emphasise enough the impact they are having on the rest of society.
‘They must really think about the damage they are doing to society by… they take up hospital beds that could have been used for someone with maybe a heart problem, or maybe someone who is waiting for elective surgery.
‘But instead of protecting themselves and protecting the community they choose not to get vaccinated.
‘They are really having a damaging impact and I just can’t stress enough, please do come forward and get vaccinated.’
Across the four UK nations as of that date, Scotland had the lowest proportion of eligible people still unvaccinated (9%), followed by Wales (10%), England (11%) and Northern Ireland (14%).
Some people are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, such as those with severe allergies to all currently available jabs, and can apply for a medical exemption.
The Health Secretary also admitted he would be cutting down on hugs from his mother if he visits her over Christmas.
Urging caution due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant, he told the BBC: ‘If I’m going to see my mum, for example, who’s elderly, like most very old people, she’s more vulnerable than younger people.
‘You know, I will take a test and you know, I might, you know, just have not the usual amount of hugs I get from my mum.
‘You just take a little bit of caution. I think that’s a sensible response.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Get your need-to-know
latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Covid-19 News Click Here
