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Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out
08 December 2020
Lead MP
Matthew Hancock
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
NHSSocial CareEmploymentWomen & Equalities
Other Contributors: 51
At a Glance
Matthew Hancock raised concerns about covid-19 vaccine roll-out 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
At 6:31 AM, Margaret Keenan from Coventry became the first person to receive a clinically authorised Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. This marks the start of an extensive NHS-led vaccination programme to deploy the vaccine across the UK according to clinical need. The minister highlighted the scientific and logistical achievements involved, stressing that there are significant challenges ahead due to the vaccine's storage requirements and the necessity for two doses 21 days apart. Over 800,000 initial doses have arrived in locations around the country, with vaccinations beginning at hospitals this week. By Christmas, they will extend to care homes and general practitioners' practices. The minister emphasised that people do not need to apply themselves; instead, the NHS will contact them when it is their turn for vaccination.
Jon Ashworth
Lab
Leicester South
Question
Questions included those about the timeline for vaccine deployment, especially in areas like Leicester that are not yet designated hospital hubs. He also asked when local primary care network hubs and mass vaccination centres would be announced and requested assurances of accessibility for disabled people and appropriate staff training. Ashworth questioned whether all care homes will have access to vaccines by Christmas and sought confirmation on vaccinating NHS students, including medical and physiotherapy students.
Minister reply
The Minister responded that vaccinations in Leicester will begin within the coming days as part of expanded hospital hubs. He acknowledged the need for accessibility for disabled people and those sleeping rough, emphasising that this would be best achieved through primary care community delivery models set to roll out shortly. The minister confirmed that student nurses and physiotherapy students who are patient-facing should also receive vaccinations under the guidance of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming and Ash
Question
The MP congratulates the Health and Social Care Secretary, scientists, vaccines taskforce, and NHS frontline staff on the success of launching the vaccination programme ahead of schedule. He inquires about the possibility of booking summer holidays now that vaccinations have begun.
Minister reply
The Minister expresses pride in the early start of the vaccination programme, acknowledges the difficulty overcome but emphasises international cooperation, and expresses optimism for a less restricted summer 2021 without previous restrictions. The Minister has booked his own holiday to Cornwall.
Question
The MP welcomes the commencement of the safe and effective vaccination programme and highlights the need to counter misinformation online and jingoistic nonsense. He asks about extra steps to ensure public trust in the vaccine's safety, fairness in access until it is widely available, a strategy similar to Scotland’s for pursuing virus elimination, and when it will be available to all who want it.
Minister reply
The Minister emphasises the importance of countering disinformation through positive information dissemination, reassures that fairness is critical following clinical advice from JCVI; expresses agreement with pursuing eventual elimination of the virus, highlights high acceptance rates in UK population surveys, and thanks those willing to speak publicly about their experiences.
Question
The MP echoes the Secretary of State’s thanks to MHRA for its work ensuring vaccine safety. She asks for further clarity on how vaccination hubs are allocated and reassures constituents in Scunthorpe, currently in Tier 3, that they will receive the vaccine soon.
Minister reply
The Minister confirms starting at 70 hospitals across UK for logistical reasons; publishes a list of additional sites later today. He emphasises primary care networks’ role in reaching more sites and ensuring everyone’s access as fairly and safely possible.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Question
The MP welcomes the vaccine programme but raises concerns about cronyism and profiteering in some of the covid-19 contracts. He asks how the Secretary of State will ensure these do not become features.
Minister reply
The Minister reassures that such issues have not been a feature, as confirmed by the National Audit Office.
Question
The MP congratulates the team on their work and thanks William Harvey Hospital in Ashford for dispensing the vaccine. He asks if residents of care homes deserve to be vaccinated first.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees, placing them as top priority clinically; operationalising this starts before Christmas.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
The MP welcomes the vaccine roll-out and expresses optimism about summer holidays. She asks if it’s feasible that most vulnerable will be vaccinated by spring and how many healthy under-50s might be vaccinated by school summer holidays.
Minister reply
The Minister understands desire for detailed timeline but highlights reliance on manufacturing process, hopes to lift measures by spring, aims at a normal summer next year.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Question
The MP thanks the Secretary of State and Department for vaccine roll-out. She asks if being one of first countries to secure vaccines allows quicker local restrictions lifting in new year.
Minister reply
The Minister expresses hope but urges caution between now and then; acknowledges civil servants' efforts throughout.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
The MP thanks the Secretary of State for making vaccine happen, asks if he liaised with Treasury for funding needed in devolved nations, highlights flu vaccine roll-out delay and requests military assistance.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges international cooperation; plans to publish further lists of vaccination hubs; reassures on liaising with Treasury and Defence Secretary.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Question
Expresses gratitude for the vaccine's development, acknowledges its importance, and asks about plans to expand vaccination sites.
Minister reply
Confirms plans to expand vaccination sites, including community locations.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Question
Congratulates on the vaccine news but expresses concern about no-deal Brexit's impact on vaccine supply chains and local hospital provision in London.
Minister reply
Reassures on vaccination supplies despite Brexit, outlines logistical plans to ensure continuous vaccine delivery.
Question
Welcomes Stepping Hill Hospital's involvement in the vaccine programme and emphasises the importance of continued adherence to public health measures.
Minister reply
Agrees on the necessity of following 'Hands, face and space' guidelines alongside vaccination efforts.
Question
Acknowledges frontline workers feeling ignored by the priority list set by JCVI and asks about future prioritisation for unpaid carers.
Minister reply
Confirms clinical need will remain the priority, with subsequent stages of priorities to be determined later.
Question
Praises efforts in vaccine creation and distribution but asks about easing tier restrictions as vaccinations progress.
Minister reply
Suggests continuing current restrictions until it is safe to ease them, with vaccines facilitating a return to normalcy.
Question
Highlights the importance of public acceptance of vaccination and advises on the measured tone of ministers' announcements.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the need for measured communication to encourage vaccine uptake.
Question
Concerned about remote areas' access to vaccines, especially in Scotland and Wales.
Minister reply
Emphasises community roll-out plans to ensure accessibility in remote locations.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Question
Requests resources for local public health teams to improve contact tracing and testing, citing low current contact rates.
Minister reply
Reassures on high contact rates, supports community testing in Liverpool city region.
Question
Asks about vaccine storage facilities for Ipswich constituents and plans to store vaccines locally.
Minister reply
Confirms vaccination roll-out in Colchester and future plans for Ipswich Hospital.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Question
Raises concerns about lack of transparency in Government contracts, including vaccine-related ones.
Minister reply
Defends the procurement process for PPE and confirms involvement of private companies like Pfizer.
Mark Harper
Con
Forest of Dean
Question
I join the Secretary of State in thanking NHS staff in Gloucestershire Hospitals for rolling out the vaccine. Given the cautious approach to rolling out the vaccine, I ask the Government to justify every restriction and balance between reducing covid cases, economic impact, and non-covid health harm.
Minister reply
The roll-out plan will monitor the impact of the vaccine on reducing cases, hospitalisations, and deaths before deciding when restrictions can be lifted. The Secretary of State and I agree that we want to lift restrictions as soon as it is safely possible.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
When discussing vulnerable groups, will the Government ensure those who are homeless do not get forgotten? What steps are being taken to reach all vulnerable people?
Minister reply
It is important that everyone has access to the vaccine for social justice reasons and practical reasons. The community roll-out will be a primary means of reaching vulnerable individuals including the homeless.
Question
How is the Department working with local authorities like Darlington Borough Council to inform constituents about how, when and where they can access the vaccine?
Minister reply
The James Cook University Hospital in Teesside is vaccinating today. Work is being done to roll out vaccines across Teesside while praising the efforts of those following rules that have led to reduced case numbers.
Question
When can people resident and working in care homes, as well as family members expect to get vaccinated?
Minister reply
Care workers are already being vaccinated today. The roll-out of vaccines for those living in care homes is planned before Christmas.
Question
Can the Secretary of State assure that home visits will be part of the roll-out plan for those who cannot leave their homes?
Minister reply
Yes, the vaccine roll-out includes home visits despite challenges due to the minus 70°C requirement.
Kate Osborne
Lab
Jarrow and Gateshead East
Question
Will extra resources be given to poorer areas with fewer GPs to ensure a fair distribution of the vaccine across the UK?
Minister reply
The roll-out is based on clinical need and will be delivered fairly right across every part of the UK.
Question
Can Secretary of State confirm that this week we will start to see the vaccine roll-out in West Yorkshire?
Minister reply
Today we are seeing the beginning of the roll-out, and it is hoped that this will expand across West Yorkshire over this week.
Question
What work will be done to ensure no one is left behind in the vaccine roll-out, especially asylum seekers without an NHS number?
Minister reply
A programme is under way to ensure that those without an NHS number can get vaccinated.
Question
Will my right hon. Friend agree to look at the case of a GP surgery concerned about resource implications in delivering the vaccine due to being severely understaffed?
Minister reply
The roll-out is organised through primary care networks so that if one GP practice is under pressure, efforts can be combined over a wider network of GP practices. Funding support for GPs to deliver vaccines has been agreed with the British Medical Association.
Naseem Shah
Lab
Bradford West
Question
My clinical commissioning group was given 24 hours to get together the GP practices to roll out the vaccine and set a criterion of 1,500 over-80s. Inner-city Bradford has nine years less life expectancy than other areas yet no centres are in inner cities.
Minister reply
The roll-out is being managed by the NHS, and it is unfair to describe the NHS as failing.
Question
What measures is he putting in place to accelerate the development of capacity to make more vaccine and develop covid therapeutic antibodies?
Minister reply
Future vaccines are being considered, along with manufacturing and delivery capabilities. The Minister for Vaccine Roll-Out is concentrating on this.
Kevin Brennan
Lab
Cardiff West
Question
Can the Secretary of State tell us a bit more about the work his Department is doing with the devolved Administrations to make sure the vaccine is distributed quickly and fairly to all four nations of our UK?
Minister reply
Yes, this is a UK project that is being done through the NHS in the four nations. The Welsh Government are playing their part. I spoke to Vaughan Gething, my Welsh opposite number, last night to ensure the roll-out was co-ordinated and the final details put in place.
Suzanne Webb
Con
Stourbridge
Question
Does he agree with me that we must keep adhering to social distancing, and face, space and hands, and that never more so than now is that a moral imperative, so we can all get back together sooner as a non-socially distanced community, with covid-19 confined to a memory only?
Minister reply
Yes, my hon. Friend puts it very well for the people of Stourbridge and right across the west midlands. We must keep our resolve and stick to the rules.
South Shields
Question
The Secretary of State will not be surprised, bearing in mind his track record in rolling out testing and tracing, that the hope offered today comes with some serious concerns about the delivery and administration of the vaccine. He has said repeatedly this morning that there are five contingency plans for delivery in the event of failed Brexit talks. What are they?
Minister reply
As I said, we have those five contingency plans. The hon. Lady will understand that ensuring we have high security around those plans is also very important.
Elliot Colburn
Con
Carshalton and Wallington
Question
Can my right hon. Friend tell me a bit more about how the vaccine roll-out will roll over into next door Carshalton and Wallington, so that people can share in George’s joy?
Minister reply
Some of the stories we have heard this morning have been really heart-warming, of people being able to have the confidence to do the things that in normal life we take for granted.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Question
Instead of every vaccine being individually prescribed, he could issue a patient group directive. Is that in his plan? Will he be doing it?
Minister reply
We are working on doing that as soon as it can safely be achieved.
Stephen Crabb
Con
Beaconsfield
Question
Although the past nine months of pandemic may at times have shone a spotlight on some of the division and tension inherent in our system of devolved government, does he agree that what today fundamentally demonstrates is that when we work together—when we collaborate as a strong family of nations—what we can achieve as a United Kingdom is truly remarkable?
Minister reply
Yes, I could not put it better than my right hon. Friend, who speaks with such power on this subject.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion
Question
Will that influence the Government’s distribution strategy in any way? Specifically, will certain vaccines be prioritised for certain groups?
Minister reply
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, should it be approved, does have easier logistical and distributional qualities—it does not have to be stored at minus 70°—so that helps. Of course, the JCVI will consider the clinical properties of any vaccine that comes forward when deciding who it can be distributed to.
Daniel Poulter
Con
South Norfolk
Question
Will he reassure me that patients in mental health services, particularly in-patients, and NHS staff who work in in-patient mental health services will be prioritised for this vaccine and will not be an afterthought?
Minister reply
Absolutely. NHS staff are in the second priority cohort set out by the JCVI, and that includes all patient-facing staff in the NHS and social care.
Tonia Antoniazzi
Lab
Gower
Question
Concerns have been raised with me about whether sporting competitions will be subject to compulsory vaccination, so what assessment has the Secretary of State made of that—not only for elite sport, but for all competitive sport in 2021?
Minister reply
We have not made such an assessment; we are still in the early days.
Steve Brine
Con
Winchester
Question
How can we get them on the same page as us quickly?
Minister reply
The UK has put more money into the international search for a vaccine, and the distribution of a vaccine to the countries that otherwise would not be able to afford it, than any other state of any size.
Mary Foy
Lab
City of Durham
Question
The vaccine is indeed welcome news, but until it is fully rolled out, the north-east will continue to be harmed by the lack of economic support that accompanies tier 3 restrictions. Can he therefore tell me precisely what level these figures will have to be at for the north-east to be moved into tier 2?
Minister reply
We consider all those figures, and because we consider them alongside special factors such as whether there is an outbreak, we do not put a specific figure on that. We have provided economic support through measures such as the furlough scheme.
Question
A charming lady of 92 has contacted me. She lives on her own and cannot get out of the house. Is it correct to assure my constituent that she will be looked after and gets her vaccination as soon as possible?
Minister reply
Yes, if she can travel when the NHS calls, my hon. Friend’s constituent should take the card with the invitation and phone up for assistance.
Question
Looking ahead to Christmas, I have been approached by a number of emergency service workers who will miss out on the opportunity to see loved ones because of the window for household mixing. Has the Secretary of State given any consideration to flexibility?
Minister reply
We hope that NHS trusts and employers across the NHS can look compassionately at this situation, but we are not proposing to extend Christmas bubbles.
Question
Can my right hon. Friend tell me specifically when those with particular vulnerabilities, such as cancer patients, can expect the call for vaccination?
Minister reply
The plan is to vaccinate care home residents and their carers first; then NHS and social care staff, followed by over-80s, over-75s. After that, we will ensure that all those who are on the clinically extremely vulnerable list get vaccinated along with the over-70-year-olds.
Warrington North
Question
Although it is right that NHS and social care staff will be among the first to receive the vaccine, what consideration has the Department of Health given to prioritising access for other groups of key workers?
Minister reply
Once we are through those clinical priorities, then of course, we will be looking to prioritise other workers, including school support staff and workers in transport and essential retail.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
Question
Will he provide assurance that logistics are in place to ensure that those in remote rural areas, such as those in Cumbria, will be able to access the vaccination programme without any delay?
Minister reply
Vaccination is happening in Cumbria today. We will make sure that we can get the delivery as close to communities as possible once we move into the primary care and community roll-out phase.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Question
May I press the Secretary of State on the point about transport workers, particularly taxi drivers, who are vulnerable not just because of their contact with the public, but because they are overwhelmingly drawn from BAME communities? Are they likely to be considered for vaccination early?
Minister reply
We absolutely will consider that factor when we come to prioritise groups after the clinical prioritised groups.
Question
Now, as we scale up the roll-out programme, will he join me in reassuring people that despite the speed of development, not a single stage was missed and that the MHRA has done its usual due diligence?
Minister reply
The MHRA has gone through the same safety processes as normal, but it has done them in parallel at the same time. We can have confidence in the safety and efficacy of this vaccine.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that, as we go into next year, we should take with us and bear in mind the fact that we have done this across the UK, as a United Kingdom?
Minister reply
There is more in common than divides us. A vaccine will come through, I have always driven it forward for the whole UK.
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that it is really important that people take the vaccine when they are offered it? The next time he speaks to Mark Zuckerberg, will he remind him that we expect his companies to act against harmful anti-vaccine disinformation?
Minister reply
Yes, yes and yes.
Shadow Comment
Jon Ashworth
Shadow Comment
Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth welcomed the rollout of the vaccine but expressed concerns about areas like Leicester that are not yet included in designated hospital hubs. He questioned the timeline for announcing primary care network hubs and mass vaccination centres, as well as ensuring accessibility for disabled people and appropriate staff training. Concerns were also raised regarding the availability of vaccines for NHS students and the homeless. Ashworth noted a report suggesting £567 million worth of funding requests were denied and asked for assurances that all necessary resources would be provided. He requested daily updates on vaccination doses administered by priority cohort and inquired about plans to tackle anti-vax misinformation online.
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