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Covid-19 Vaccination Roll-out — [Sir David Amess in the Chair]
11 January 2021
Lead MP
Tonia Antoniazzi
Gower
Lab
Responding Minister
Jo Churchill
Tags
EmploymentStandards & EthicsChildren & Families
Word Count: 14396
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Tonia Antoniazzi raised concerns about covid-19 vaccination roll-out — [sir david amess in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
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.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
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.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
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.
Craig Williams
Lab
Islwyn
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.
Ian Paisley
DUP
North Antrim
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.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
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.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
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
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
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.
Steve Brine
Con
Winchester
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.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
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 Churchill
Government Response
I 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.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.