Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Vaccines: Low-income Countries

Tuesday 30 November 2021 · 4 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

  • UK is committed to equitable access to covid-19 vaccines through COVAX, having donated 548 million and delivered 16.1 million doses.
  • Supply issues and local health service delivery challenges have affected vaccine distribution in low-income countries.
  • UK has pledged to donate 100 million doses of vaccines as part of the G7's commitment of 870 million doses by 2022.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
NHS Foreign Affairs
Context

Low-income countries face significant challenges in accessing vaccines. COVAX has been established to ensure equitable access, but the UK's role is questioned.

Question

What recent steps have you taken to help ensure equal distribution of covid-19 vaccines among low-income countries? The shocking vaccination rates should shame the global north and made omicron variant inevitable. Where was the urgency when it came to vaccinating people on African continent? Is it time for government to drop opposition to intellectual property waiver?

Answer from Vicky Ford

The UK is committed to equitable access through COVAX. We are one of its largest donors with £548 million commitment. Challenges in supply due to export bans, but 16.1 million doses delivered by the UK; additional 9 million AstraZeneca doses will be sent soon. UK teams provide training and advice for health workers on vaccine confidence.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifically avoided committing to drop opposition to IP waiver or providing capacity support

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Q2 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
NHS
Context

UK's efforts in vaccine distribution are questioned, particularly regarding intellectual property waiver. Labour argues for immediate action to improve vaccination rates.

Question

The shockingly low vaccination rates should shame the global north and made omicron variant inevitable. Where was urgency when vaccinating people on African continent? Is it time for government to drop opposition to IP waiver, provide vaccine capacity support?

Answer from Vicky Ford

We are fully committed but face supply issues and local health service delivery challenges. COVAX experienced severe challenges in obtaining vaccine supplies due to export bans, but now supplies are increasing. We delivered 16.1 million doses through COVAX; 9 million additional AstraZeneca doses will be sent soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to dropping opposition to IP waiver or providing capacity support

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Q3 Preet Kaur Gill Labour (Co-op) Birmingham Edgbaston
NHS Taxation Foreign Affairs
Context

Government criticized for blocking international agreements to increase vaccine supply, donating only a fraction of promised doses, stockpiling vaccines, and slashing programmes tracking new variants.

Question

How many surplus vaccines will the UK have by end of 2021? Why refuse speeding up donation process to other countries? Will ensure airlifting vaccines immediately?

Answer from Vicky Ford

Not only did we set up COVAX, but we are one of its largest donors with £548 million commitment. We have committed to donating 100 million doses as part of G7's 870 million by 2022. Helping countries set up vaccine manufacturing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details on surplus vaccines or reasons for refusing speed-up donation process

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Q4 Christopher Chope Con Christchurch
NHS
Context

Question about the COVAX compensation scheme, comparing it to domestic compensation for adverse vaccine reactions.

Question

Under COVAX scheme, why do we give more generous compensation to foreign citizens than our own who suffer adverse consequences from covid-19 vaccine?

Answer from Vicky Ford

I thank my hon. Friend for his question but think it is a question for Department of Health and Social Care Ministers.

Not addressed: Completely avoided answering the question by deflecting to another department

How: Deflection

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