Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Covid-19 Vaccine

10 November 2020 · 4 other contributors · 8,481 words

Opened by Bill Wiggin Con North Herefordshire

Responding minister: Jo Churchill

NHS

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Bill Wiggin raised concerns about covid-19 vaccine in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the vaccine licensing process and deployment, suggesting acceleration and larger-scale trials.
  • Government has secured 350 million doses through agreements with six vaccine developers.
  • Minister highlighted the importance of vaccine safety and efficacy, emphasizing collaboration across sectors.

Key requests to Government

I urge the Government to seek volunteers for vaccine trials on those who are most at risk, such as the elderly and frontline workers, and look to incorporate more candidates into further trials. Additionally, I ask for the extension of therapeutic trials in this country as soon as possible.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Bill Wiggin Con North Herefordshire

I am concerned about the current process for vaccine licensing and deployment. According to the Department of Health and Social Care, temporary licensing can occur only in exceptional circumstances. There are 258 candidate vaccines worldwide, with around 50 in clinical testing and 11 in final regulatory approvals. The Government have forward purchased a total of 190 million doses from three candidates: AstraZeneca and Oxford University (most advanced), Pfizer and BioNTech, and Valneva. I believe that we need to accelerate the licensing process and extend trials on a larger scale.

Other contributors (4)
  • Alex Norris Lab Co-op Nottingham North and Kimberley

    The MP expressed support for the rigorous vaccine approval process, highlighted the need for a global distribution of vaccines, and emphasized the importance of political consensus. He also questioned the number of pre-orders placed by the government for different vaccines and asked about parliamentary scrutiny opportunities. The MP further discussed vaccine hesitancy and proposed proactive health promotion campaigns to counter misinformation. Concerns were raised regarding delivery plans and GP capacity, with questions on whether these practices are optional and if assessments have been made.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    The MP welcomed the news of a potential vaccine but expressed concerns about its availability for children, prioritisation for at-risk groups such as BAME communities and those with obesity, and global distribution. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that the vaccine is available to those who need it most, including frontline workers and vulnerable individuals.

  • John Howell Con Wythenshawe and Sale East

    Mr Howell expressed hope about the potential Pfizer vaccine but cautioned against premature celebration. He highlighted that no vaccine will be 100% effective and stressed the need for ongoing use of existing tools like testing, contact tracing, physical distancing, and masks. He also mentioned a drug called co-trimoxazole being trialled for its efficacy in stopping lung inflammation caused by the virus.

  • Neale Hanvey SNP Dumfries and Galloway

    I thank the hon. Member for North Herefordshire for securing this debate, expressing cautious optimism about the candidate vaccines' efficacy but emphasizing the importance of thorough clinical trials and maintaining strict public health measures to ensure safety and economic recovery. I urge caution regarding drug licensing and the deployment of vaccines due to potential unforeseen effects and the need for a clear message of safety to the population.

Government Response

Jo Churchill

Thanked the House for their contributions, highlighting the importance of vaccine safety and efficacy. Mentioned collaborations across science, medicine, industry, and government to find a safe vaccine. Announced 350 million doses secured through agreements with six separate vaccine developers. Discussed different types of vaccines in various stages of development including Oxford-AstraZeneca, BioNTech-Pfizer mNRA, inactivated whole virus vaccines, and protein adjuvant vaccines. Emphasised the importance of international collaboration and investment in research and development to ensure rapid deployment once a safe vaccine is available.

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