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Covid-19 Update
21 October 2021
Lead MP
Maggie Throup
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Social CareEmploymentTransport
Other Contributors: 24
At a Glance
Maggie Throup raised concerns about covid-19 update in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
With the onset of colder weather, the Minister outlined the UK's autumn and winter plan for dealing with coronavirus. She noted that new cases are high, hospital pressures are growing, and daily deaths exceed 100. The minister stressed the importance of vaccination, noting that 86% of people over 12 have received at least one dose and 79% have two doses. The government aims to plug gaps in vaccination coverage by encouraging the unvaccinated to take the vaccine and working with schools for those aged over 12. For further protection, third doses or boosters are available for eligible individuals. To date, more than four million people have received these booster shots. Additionally, antiviral treatments such as Pfizer's Paxlovid and Merck Sharp & Dohme's molnupiravir have been procured to combat severe cases. Plan B measures include face masks in certain settings, remote working where possible, and vaccine certification. The government is monitoring new variants closely, including the AY.4.2 variant. Furthermore, £162.5 million has been allocated for social care workforce retention and recruitment through winter.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Dartford
Question
The shadow minister asked if plan C is being ruled out, whether regional tiers are under consideration, and what criteria would trigger the implementation of plan B. He also inquired why mask-wearing was not mandated on public transport despite its importance.
Minister reply
While no specific details were provided for these questions, the Minister reiterated the government's stance to remain vigilant while pursuing plan A fully. She emphasised that measures will be implemented promptly and proportionately as necessary but did not specify criteria or additional measures beyond those previously outlined.
Jon Ashworth
Labour Co-op
Delyn
Question
The MP asked six questions regarding plan C, regional tiers, criteria for triggering plan B, mandatory mask-wearing, booster vaccine targets, walk-in centres availability, children's vaccination rates, flu jabs cancellations, helpline establishment for pregnant women, anti-vax misinformation, sick pay reform, and the potential impact of side effects on work attendance.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by reassuring that there is no plan C, and they are still on plan A. She emphasised the strong wall of defence built through vaccinations and highlighted efforts to encourage pregnant women to get vaccinated.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming
Question
The MP questioned why vaccine uptake rates among over-80s, over-50s, and teenagers are lower than in other European countries despite the urging for vaccinations.
Minister reply
The Minister reassured that vaccines continue to be effective against severe illness. She explained that they are encouraging people to get their boosters before effectiveness drops further and opening up more opportunities for 12 to 15-year-olds to claim their first jab through the national booking service.
Martyn Day
SNP
Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Question
The MP expressed concern over the reliance on plan A and urged for greater uptake of vaccinations among unvaccinated individuals. He highlighted higher vaccination rates in Scotland compared to England.
Minister reply
The Minister reiterated UK-wide vaccination data, emphasising unity within the Union. She also mentioned opening more opportunities for 12 to 15-year-olds and stressed the importance of safeguarding when vaccinating minors.
Flick Drummond
Con
South Dorset
Question
The MP inquired about speeding up vaccinations in schools so that students can continue with their education.
Minister reply
The Minister highlighted the success of the school age immunisation service and mentioned providing opportunities for parents to take children to vaccination centres through the national booking system.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Question
Expresses concern about public health, given the budget is 24% lower than in 2015. Asks for an update on the Health Secretary's response.
Minister reply
Reassures that regular data reviews are conducted and enhanced measures will be put in place if necessary.
Bernard Jenkin
Con
Harwich and North Essex
Question
Suggests ways to engage the public on vaccination, including press conferences with top health officials. Also inquires about vaccine distribution from GPs.
Minister reply
Confirms there are multiple options for getting vaccinated beyond GP practices.
Karin Smyth
Lab
Bristol South
Question
Asks about secret criteria for plan B due to high occupancy rates and waiting lists in healthcare.
Minister reply
States the Government's autumn and winter plan remains intact.
Question
Thanks the Minister for her statement and highlights the £162.5 million funding for social care, asking if it includes discharge support.
Minister reply
Confirms further details of additional funding will be provided to encourage more people into care work.
Daisy Cooper
Lib Dem
St Albans
Question
Complains about difficulties in booking booster shots through the national system and 119.
Minister reply
Offers to look into and fix any problems with the booking system.
Question
Asks about additional incentives for vaccine take-up among younger people, noting operational issues in schools due to illness.
Minister reply
Reassures that multiple visits will be made by school immunisation services to ensure all students are vaccinated.
Jeff Smith
Lab
Manchester Withington
Question
Asks if there is a need for immediate action on mask-wearing in enclosed private spaces.
Minister reply
Says plan A remains active and advises adherence to existing guidance on face coverings.
Question
Expresses gratitude for the vaccination programme and asks what is being done about disinformation on social media.
Minister reply
Requests companies remove false information from their platforms, stressing that vaccines save lives.
Question
Criticises UK's approach to vaccine distribution as 'me first', and inquires about the MHRA approval for Valneva’s covid-19 vaccine.
Minister reply
Refers to the MHRA as a respected global regulator, highlighting its role in approving vaccines.
Christchurch
Question
Thanks the Minister for discussions on his Vaccine Damage Bill and highlights an increase in staff dealing with vaccine damage claims.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the seriousness of the issue and commits to further investigation.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Question
Clarifies eligibility for booster shots among people with diabetes, especially those in group 6.
Minister reply
Confirms that all cohorts including 6 are eligible for boosters.
Question
Thanks the community for administering vaccines to younger age groups and condemns abuse towards them.
Minister reply
Agrees with condemnation of intimidation and thanks everyone involved in vaccine delivery.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
The Minister says that 79% of people in the UK are fully vaccinated and boosters are being rolled out, yet this terrible virus is taking a desperately heavy toll on human lives, so can she imagine what it is like in most low-income countries where just 1% or 2% of people have been vaccinated? Can she tell us why the UK continues to be one of only a handful of countries blocking the demand for a waiver on the trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights—TRIPS—agreement? Why has the UK so far delivered less than 10% of the doses it promised to poorer countries? That is an obscene moral failure, and also harms us here at home.
Minister reply
The UK is a global leader in delivering covid vaccines to the most vulnerable countries around the world, including through the Prime Minister’s pledge to donate 100 million vaccine doses overseas by June next year. As of the middle of September, we had donated 10.3 million doses. Some 4.1 million were donated bilaterally to 16 countries and 6.2 million were distributed via COVAX.
Peter Bone
Con
Wellingborough
Question
My GP has been excellent at promoting vaccinations. I had my second vaccination on 17 April. Five weeks ago, I got covid and I was pretty poorly, but thank God I had had the vaccinations. Last week, the GP chased me up to get my booster injection, which I had on 15 October, followed by the flu vaccination the next day. Other people who would like to have the booster have not yet got to the six-month limit. Does the Minister have a view about reducing that limit so that more people could get vaccinated more quickly?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes a good point. The data shows that although there is a drop-off in immunity, it does not drop off a cliff, so people who had their second vaccine five months ago still have plenty of immunity. I am delighted that he got his booster and his flu jab, and I encourage everyone else to get theirs too.
Ian Mearns
Lab
Gateshead
Question
Can we have particular strategies for areas in our communities that have very low uptake? We need to counter the mythology and misinformation that have a disproportionate detrimental impact on those low-uptake communities. Such communities tend to be poorer and more impoverished with multiple levels of need and deprivation. We need particular strategies for those areas otherwise covid, which is already at a high level, will let rip. We also need particular strategies for getting our secondary school pupils vaccinated. In secondary schools in Gateshead, even among those who indicated that they wanted a vaccine, only about a third of people in those age groups have so far been able to get one. Can we do something about the misinformation on the 119 helpline too, which is actually preventing constituents from getting accurate information about what they need to do to help themselves and their families?
Minister reply
I fully agree with the hon. Gentleman about hard-to-reach groups, which are in some of the most deprived and vulnerable parts. We have done a lot of work with community leaders to identify how we can get to those groups because, as he rightly says, it is important to achieve that. With regards to teenagers, we need to tackle disinformation. It is completely wrong that people feel intimidated. We also need to get the right messaging out. As I said, we are looking at opportunities for vaccinations other than through the school network.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
Question
Mask wearing has been shown to reduce the spread of covid in confined spaces. Yesterday, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said that MPs should “set an example” over mask wearing. The Minister this morning said that MPs should make their own decisions about mask wearing, which flies in the face of the advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. The confusion over mask wearing is reminiscent of the unfortunate great confusion about mask wearing in June 2020, which the Minister will no doubt recall. What will she do to encourage her colleagues on the Government Benches to set that good example in the House of Commons by wearing a mask?
Minister reply
As I have mentioned on numerous occasions, we are in plan A. There is guidance for wearing face coverings as part of that plan.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
I am sorry, but this is just not good enough. In my constituency, hundreds of children are off school, hundreds of people are not in work today, and, sadly, people are dying. As a result of that, rather than have a politically led strategy, will the Minister meet with the Association of Directors of Public Health to ensure that they take a lead on how we will manage the crisis in the coming months?
Minister reply
We are in a pandemic. The hon. Lady says that children are getting infections, which is why we have opened up the opportunity for 12 to 15-year-olds, as well as those 16 and above, to get their vaccine. That is important. They are protecting themselves and protecting other people.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
The Government’s vaccine roll-out has been a success story, but it is important that we continue that success story. I had the flu jab three weeks ago and I will have my covid booster in about four weeks. All sorts of constituents have contacted me to ask why they have been called for a third primary dose of the vaccine along with their flu jab. Are the Government considering a wider publicity campaign to clarify the reason behind the third jab, the criteria for the booster and the need for the flu jab as well at the same time?
Minister reply
A communications programme has been rolled out this week to encourage people to get their booster and their flu jab, and to get whichever comes first and then the other as soon as it is available.
Shadow Comment
Jon Ashworth
Shadow Comment
The shadow minister questioned the government's readiness to implement further measures like plan C, regional tiers or lockdowns if necessary. He urged for clarity on criteria that would trigger plan B implementation and asked why mask-wearing is not mandatory in public transport. Concerning the vaccination programme, he highlighted a stalling trend with booster uptake at 165,000 daily doses compared to previous peaks of around 800,000. He recommended setting a target of 500,000 daily boosters by Christmas and suggested streamlining access for those in need. For children’s vaccination rates, he proposed mobilizing retired medical professionals. On flu jabs, he sought assurances that all eligible individuals will receive their vaccinations before December. Additionally, he raised concerns about unvaccinated pregnant women making up 20% of hospitalised patients and called for a helpline to provide advice and tackle misinformation on social media.
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