Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation and Linked Households) (England) Regulations 2020

Baroness Masham of Ilton Excerpts

Thursday 7th January 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Masham of Ilton (CB) [V]]

My Lords, the four-tier regulations have been overtaken by the England-wide lockdown. Suddenly, from being in tier 2, we in North Yorkshire found ourselves in lockdown, with so many difficulties and insecurities to cope with. With the devastating news yesterday that 1,000 people died in 24 hours, people are realising how serious the problem has become.

The hope is that vaccination will get on top of this disastrous epidemic. The instructions given when having the Pfizer vaccine are clear:

“You will receive two injections, given 21 days apart. Protection against Covid-19 disease may not be effective until at least seven days after the second dose.”


The Government are now saying that the injections should be given three months apart. This is against the recommendations of the manufacturers and the World Health Organization. Vulnerable elderly people are concerned and confused. What a muddle. Also, many trained medical people have offered to give injections but have been put off by the ridiculous, bureaucratic forms they are asked to sign.

I congratulate the laboratory workers, who are often forgotten, on working so hard in a short time to produce these vaccines, and thank them for doing so. So many people are working, and the volunteers should also be congratulated.