House of Commons · Westminster Hall
11 January 2021 · 10 other contributors · 14,396 words
Opened by Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Responding minister: Jo Churchill
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Tonia Antoniazzi raised concerns about covid-19 vaccination roll-out — [sir david amess in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
I ask the Government to reconsider the JCVI prioritisation schedule and give assurances that teachers and other frontline workers will be included in the next stage of vaccinations. I also request a comprehensive plan for school leaders and local authorities with necessary financial and logistical support to implement the plans.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
I am concerned about the lack of prioritisation for teachers, school staff and first responders in the vaccine roll-out. The petition received close to 460,000 signatures and calls for these frontline workers to be kept safe at work by being put on the vaccine priority list. Teachers have a high risk of contracting the virus due to their daily interactions with students, and schools have spent time making their environment safe.
The MP expressed gratitude for the vaccine roll-out efforts, highlighted the importance of vaccinating key workers and vulnerable groups around-the-clock to save lives. They urged the government to include hospices and early years staff in priority groups for vaccination due to their significant role in caring for children and elderly individuals.
I ask the Minister how many people in Wales are unable to get a vaccination due to limited supplies and when more vaccines will be available. He supported the JCVI's recommendations, called for transparency regarding vaccine delivery numbers, and asked about future roll-outs for frontline first responders and teachers. He also stressed the importance of vaccinating groups identified by the JCVI to keep mortality rates low.
The hon. Member for North Antrim highlighted the involvement of the armed forces in vaccine deployment programmes.
Welcomed the prioritisation of domiciliary care staff in Northern Ireland receiving the vaccine, emphasised that schoolteachers are frontline workers who should be vaccinated to facilitate school reopening for mental health and societal benefits. Advocated for the involvement of community pharmacists and military logistics in the roll-out process.
The MP highlighted the need to include teachers in priority vaccine roll-call, emphasizing that vaccinating school staff is crucial for keeping children safe and in class. He also stressed the importance of ensuring equal vaccine availability in rural areas and suggested utilizing military logistics to support GP practices. The MP mentioned his mother receiving her vaccination at age 89 and expressed hope for a timely vaccine rollout.
As a substitute for the shadow spokesman, I express concerns about the delay in vaccine delivery and request information on how the government plans to improve the roll-out. Discussed the need for a comprehensive vaccination programme, highlighting issues with vaccine supply and logistics. Raised concerns about school closures and the prioritisation of key workers in education settings. Called for greater transparency regarding vaccine delivery schedules and urged the Government to consider extending priority vaccinations to those working in essential services like education and policing.
Welcomed the debate and highlighted constituents' support for prioritising school staff in vaccination. Contended that teaching staff should be considered for lower priority groups, such as group 7 proposed by the Liberal Democrats. Emphasised the importance of vaccinating early years staff to protect their health while acknowledging it may not prevent disease spread.
Stephen Doughty expressed concerns about the prioritisation of vaccine distribution and called for clearer guarantees on delivery schedules to Wales. He praised the work of his local health board in scaling up vaccination plans but also asked for assurances on productive capacity, cold chain scalability, fill and finish production capabilities, and future variant vaccine production. The hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth raised concerns about vaccine supplies, expressing confidence in the government's ability to ensure deliveries through February.
Welcomed the 'UK COVID-19 vaccines delivery plan' and expressed support for vaccinating key workers overnight. Noted supply issues impacting local vaccinations but acknowledged progress in Winchester. Emphasised need for transparency, daily regional data publication to boost competition among regions. Suggested lifting restrictions when the threat of overwhelming NHS is reduced post-vaccination. Highlighted the importance of prioritising educators and early years staff for vaccination. My hon. Friend the Member for Winchester shared data indicating that vaccinating top four priority groups could safeguard against 88% of mortality.
Asked for the Minister's intervention through CCGs to fast-track site approval in Windermere and Sedbergh, expressing concern over the challenge of delivering vaccines in rural areas. Raised issues regarding vaccine capacity and data sharing, questioning why vaccination data is not being shared district by district or postcode by postcode. The hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale reminded the House that schools are open, delivering both online education and in-person learning for vulnerable children.
Government Response
Jo ChurchillI respond by acknowledging the difficulties faced due to delays in vaccine delivery. The Government is working closely with manufacturers to secure additional supplies and expedite distribution. We are committed to vaccinating as many people as possible as quickly as we can. In response to concerns raised during the debate, the Minister thanked hon. Members for their contributions and highlighted the government's strategy of prioritising vaccination for the most vulnerable groups to save lives as quickly as possible. He assured colleagues that vaccine supplies are stable through February, focusing on the four top priority categories recommended by JCVI. The minister acknowledged the sentiment behind protecting teachers and childcare workers but emphasised the importance of starting with those at highest risk of mortality. He also addressed specific questions regarding data transparency, inclusion of hospices in vaccination plans, and the role of testing in reopening schools.