EMPLOYERS should give staff paid time off work to get their Covid-19 vaccination, York's public health director has said.

Anyone having difficulties persuading their employer to give them time off to get vaccinated can "confidentially whistle blow" by contacting the council, director of public health Sharon Stoltz said.

Ms Stoltz told councillors she has been approached by several people about the issue and said: "We will be doing some targeted work with employers to stress upon them that people need to be given paid time off work in order to be vaccinated.

"If anyone is having difficulties with their employer, they can contact me confidentially and I can follow that up with employers without revealing the source of my information.

"So people can whistle blow confidentially if they're concerned about their own workplace."

She added that there had been a "drop off" in vaccine supply for York during April and early May, but that she has been told there will soon be an increase in doses available.

The vaccination site is focussed on delivering second doses on time, meaning some people booking their first vaccination may have experienced delays.

But she added: "Anybody who wants a vaccine will certainly be offered one and we hope to be able to get to the under 40 age group very soon."