Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Vaccines: Logistics

Thursday 12 November 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department of Health and Social Care is collaborating with Government Departments, the NHS, and local leaders on vaccine distribution logistics.
  • Michael Fabricant questioned the Ministry of Defence's role in vaccine logistics, suggesting the armed forces' involvement.
  • The Minister acknowledged the armed forces' significant contributions, including planning expertise and support behind the scenes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
NHS
Context

The MP inquired about the coordination between government departments and local leaders on vaccine distribution logistics.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with (a) other Departments and (b) local leaders on the logistics of distributing covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement.

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

The Department of Health and Social Care is working closely with Government Departments and bodies and the NHS, as well as local leaders, on all aspects of vaccine deployment, including distribution logistics.

Answered
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Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
NHS Defence
Context

The MP referenced a previous statement and questioned the Ministry of Defence's willingness to get involved in vaccine deployment.

Question

In his response to the urgent question on Tuesday, the Minister for Defence Procurement said that it is not for the Ministry of Defence to suggest that it should do the logistics. I think he was being unusually shy. My right hon. Friend the Paymaster General will know how good the armed forces are at logistics, so will she ask the Ministry of Defence to definitely get involved in the deployment of the covid-19 vaccine when it is available?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

I thank my hon. Friend for affording me the opportunity to pay tribute to the work that our armed forces have done across many aspects of this, often visibly but also behind the scenes in providing planning expertise. They have provided in an incredible service to every aspect of the response. This is a massive undertaking—the largest vaccination programme, I think, in the NHS's history—but, as the deputy chief medical officer has said, plans for it have been under way for some time. That includes logistics, transport and personal protective equipment, but also an expanded workforce so that we can deploy it rapidly. Every part of Government is going to be making a contribution to that, and as soon as the vaccine is approved, we want to be in a position to deliver it to as many people as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for the Ministry of Defence's involvement was not directly addressed.

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