Primary Care: Quality and Access Improvements

Baroness Masham of Ilton Excerpts

Thursday 21st July 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Penn (Con)]

I am afraid I do not have the specific details of that funding formula to hand so I will write to my noble friend.

[Baroness Masham of Ilton (CB)]

My Lords, how much infection control is taking place in the community now that testing for the coronavirus is no longer free? Are there effective vaccines for the most recent variants of Covid-19, and is there sufficient vaccine for the monkeypox?

[Baroness Penn (Con)]

On infection control, the NHS continues to keep in place the right infection control measures proportionate to the risk. While free testing is not available to the general population, tests are still available where they may be needed. On the vaccine, my understanding is that it continues to be effective against the variants, and last Friday we announced our acceptance of the JCVI recommendation that all over-50s be offered a booster this year. We will also continue to keep in place the extended flu vaccine eligibility that we had last year.