Care workers avoiding the coronavirus vaccine due to antivaxxer conspiracy theories may be putting residents at risk.

An investigation by the Sunday Times claimed that up to 30% of Glasgow social care workers are worried about getting the vaccine.

Authorities have admitted that some care staff have been reluctant to receive the jab. 

It comes as misinformation and anti-vax campaigns targeted hundreds of care homes in Scotland with the aim of scaring staff.

Conspiracies include false claims the vaccine may affect female fertility or that it is being used to track the public. 

READ MORE: Q&A: University of Glasgow expert debunks Covid-19 vaccine myths and conspiracies

Vaccine uptake for care home staff is at 55% whilst it is at 80% for residents.

Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at Aberdeen University, said the theories may put lives at risk. 

Inoculating care staff is "an important arm of protecting the very vulnerable people" living in the homes, he added. 

Gary Smith, secretary of the GMB in Scotland, called for targeted campaign to educate concerned workers. 

He added that the issue has mainly emerged with home carers. 

These workers are isolated and, importantly, their trust and confidence in the government is at rock bottom," he said.

Glasgow City Council has announced plans to hold a questions and answers session to dispel common misconceptions. 

 A spokesman for the Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership said: “The best way to keep our staff and service users safe is for everyone who is recommended to have the vaccine to have it.

“Unfortunately, right across the world we see people spreading misinformation.

“The way to tackle this is to be sensitive to people’s fears and help them to understand that it’s safe and that the vast majority of their colleagues have decided to protect themselves, their families and the people they care for.”