Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Vaccines

Wednesday 3 March 2021 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mark Eastwood inquired about recent discussions on the supply of covid-19 vaccines in Northern Ireland between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.
  • Mark Eastwood also asked for reassurance that the vaccination target would be met in Northern Ireland, highlighting it as a United Kingdom effort.
  • Jim Shannon questioned the Minister about discussions regarding the needs of rural isolated communities in Northern Ireland, emphasizing the requirement for dedicated clinics in these areas.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Eastwood
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The MP is concerned about discussions regarding vaccine supplies for Northern Ireland, given the critical need to maintain public health during the pandemic.

Question

What recent discussions have there been with Cabinet colleagues and the Northern Ireland Executive on the supply of covid-19 vaccines in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Robin Walker

Since the start of the pandemic, the UK Government have worked closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure the safety of the people in Northern Ireland. Vaccines are our way out of the pandemic, and the Secretary of State and I continue to hold regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive on this important issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for specific details about discussions but received a general statement without concrete commitments or specifics.

How: General Statements

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Q2 Mark Eastwood
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The MP acknowledges the success of vaccine roll-outs in his own constituency but is concerned about ensuring similar progress for Northern Ireland, given its importance to the UK's exit strategy.

Question

In Dewsbury, Mirfield, Kirkburton and Denby Dale, the roll-out has been a huge success. Will the Minister reassure people of Northern Ireland that the target will be met there, ensuring we come out as one United Kingdom?

Answer from Robin Walker

My hon. Friend is right about this being a United Kingdom effort, and I congratulate his local clinical commissioning groups on what they are doing. As of Monday 1 March, 558,000 vaccines have been administered to more than 29% of Northern Ireland's population, including 525,000 first doses.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for reassurance regarding meeting targets but received a general statement about the roll-out progress without explicit assurances or commitments.

How: General Statements, Progress Report

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
NHS Northern Ireland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the vaccine roll-out in remote and rural communities, noting that dedicated clinics might be necessary for these regions.

Question

Will the Minister further outline what discussions have taken place with regard to the needs of rural isolated communities, which will need dedicated clinics because they find it difficult to make it to centralised locations?

Answer from Robin Walker

We all welcome the news that the hon. Gentleman has waited his turn and got an appointment to receive a vaccine. He raises an important point. Although of course the delivery of the vaccine in Northern Ireland is primarily a matter for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland, we will continue to work closely with it to support the vaccine roll-out to all communities, including those in remote and rural areas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for specific details about discussions but received general reassurances without concrete commitments or actions.

How: General Statements, Reassurance

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