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Covid-19: Vaccination — [Sir David Amess in the Chair]
14 December 2020
Lead MP
Elliot Colburn
Responding Minister
Nadhim Zahawi
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Word Count: 11697
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Elliot Colburn raised concerns about covid-19: vaccination — [sir david amess in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Colburn urges the public to get vaccinated when it is their turn, highlighting the importance of protecting both individuals and communities. He also calls upon people to seek information from reliable sources such as GPs and pharmacists rather than internet conspiracy theories.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Elliot Colburn is concerned about the misinformation around vaccine safety. He mentions that over 307,000 people have signed a petition expressing concerns about restrictions on those who refuse vaccination for Covid-19. Colburn emphasises that vaccines undergo rigorous testing and monitoring before approval to ensure their safety.
Alex Norris
Lab Co-op
Nottingham North and Kimberley
Mr Norris praised the progress of vaccine development, acknowledging the strength of public feeling on the matter. He highlighted the role of Britain in global vaccination efforts and emphasised the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy through proactive health-promoting campaigns. He questioned the Minister about take-up figures for the programme's effectiveness and raised concerns over logistical challenges such as IT system requirements affecting care-home staff vaccinations and GP workload impacts due to new rules.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon shared his personal experiences with the pandemic and emphasized the importance of vaccine uptake while respecting individual choice. He expressed concern over misinformation on social media and the need for reliable information to address people's questions and doubts about the vaccine. Outlines concern for families of those with terminal illnesses who wish to spend time with their loved ones during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of considering their feelings and input. We in Northern Ireland were first. The MP for Strangford highlighted personal stories of loved ones affected by the virus, emphasizing that each statistic represents a person with family and friends. He expressed sadness over the loss of his mother-in-law and the infection of his wife and other family members.
David Baker
Con
Wycombe
The MP for Wycombe raised concerns about vaccine passporting and emphasized the importance of public health measures being based on scientific evidence. He also addressed questions regarding the impact of vaccines on transmission rates.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
Stressed that neither the UK nor Scottish Government plans to mandate the covid vaccine. Emphasised the importance of public safety, expressing optimism about high vaccination rates due to previous compliance with health measures. Mentioned various vaccines routinely administered to children and adults without issues. Noted a potential 70% threshold for normalcy return but doubted business restrictions on unvaccinated individuals. The MP for North Ayrshire and Arran confirmed that neither the Scottish Government nor the UK government would mandate vaccination. She praised the collaborative efforts of chief medical officers across regions to start vaccinating on the same day.
Steven Baker
Con
Wycombe
Mr. Baker argued that vaccines are beneficial but opposed compulsion, stating there is no ethical justification for forcing people to take a vaccine given the infection fatality rate of around 1%. He highlighted concerns about implicit coercion where businesses might restrict access based on vaccination status, which he deemed both ineffective and unethical. Mr. Baker cited an example from the Secretary of State that underlines uncertainty regarding transmission reduction with vaccines. Agrees with the hon. Lady that charging higher premiums for increased personal risk is reasonable but calls on businesses to be reasonable and provide leadership in encouraging vaccine take-up. I am honoured by the hon. Member's words, and am very grateful.
Government Response
Nadhim Zahawi
Government Response
The Minister assured that there are no plans to mandate vaccinations or introduce vaccine passporting, emphasizing that such measures would be discriminatory and wrong. He explained that the record cards issued after vaccination do not constitute a passport and should not be used as identification. The Minister highlighted the importance of completing both doses for full efficacy and reiterated the rigorous testing process conducted by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). He also addressed concerns about transmission rates, stating that further monitoring is required to determine their impact. The Minister praised the collaborative efforts between chief medical officers in different regions and expressed hope for a successful vaccination programme leading to the lifting of restrictions.
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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.