Asked by: Duncan Baker (Conservative - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason the Government does not recommend (a) FFP2 and (b) FFP3 face masks as offering additional protection to the wearer against covid-19.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The Health and Safety Executive does not recommend the routine use of FFP2 masks in clinical practice as these are of lower efficacy than FFP3 masks. FFP3 masks are recommended for use in some health and care settings. Infection prevention and control guidance for staff in all health and care settings states that FFP3 masks should be worn by staff caring for patients where a risk assessment indicates the need.
FFP3 masks and other higher specification personal protective equipment must be professionally fit tested to ensure that air flows through the filter rather than around the mask. If these masks are provided without fit testing, it is not clear that they will be effective. Additionally, it may be difficult for members of the public to safely and comfortably wear a fitted mask for extended periods of time. Face coverings are no longer mandated by law.
Asked by: Duncan Baker (Conservative - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 14 December 2021 to Question 89686 on Coronavirus: Vaccination, when 16-17 year olds with chronic asthma in group 6 will be (a) eligible and (b) prioritised for a covid-19 booster vaccination; and whether he will use the flu jab list as a basis for efficiently identifying those who need to be prioritised for any future covid-19 booster vaccinations.
Answered by Maggie Throup
The Government accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that those aged 16 to 49 years old with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 should be offered a booster vaccine. This included individuals with 'poorly controlled asthma', defined as:
- Receiving two or more courses of oral corticosteroids in the preceding 24 months;
- Being on maintenance oral corticosteroids; and
- Having one or more hospital admission(s) for asthma in the preceding 24 months.
The flu clinical risk groups were initially considered as a potential way to identify and prioritise individuals at risk of COVID-19. However, when evaluating the data, the JCVI found that, although there was some overlap between the influenza clinical risk groups and those at high risk of severe COVID-19, there were some differences. At this stage no decision has been made about who will be prioritised for any for any future booster vaccinations, and whether the flu clinical risk groups will be used as part of the considerations.
Asked by: Duncan Baker (Conservative - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca drug Evusheld for immunosuppressed people in the UK; what plans he has to use that drug as a (a) prophylactic and (b) treatment; and what his timeline is for the rollout of that drug for use in the UK.
Answered by Maggie Throup
We continue to monitor the emerging data for AstraZeneca’s long-acting antibody therapy, AZD7442, also known as Evusheld. AstraZeneca have discussed potential approvals with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency .
The Department published a Prior information Notice (PIN) on 5 October 2021 inviting suppliers to submit an expression of interest on neutralising antibody treatments being developed for treating and preventing COVID-19. The PIN is accessible by suppliers and enables the Department to undertake a fair and transparent market engagement process with suppliers. We are unable to provide further information on the deployment of Evusheld as it is commercially sensitive.
Asked by: Duncan Baker (Conservative - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prioritise those under 40 who were vaccinated for covid-19 as part of group 6 previously part of the booster roll out programme; when he expects 16-17 years old in group 6 to be (a) eligible and (b) prioritised for a booster, including chronic asthmatics; what assurances his Department plans to provide those groups; and if his Department will use the flu jab list as a basis for identifying those who need to be prioritised for covid-19 booster vaccinations.
Answered by Maggie Throup
On 29 November 2021 the Government accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to accelerate the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme. All adults over 18 years old are now eligible for a booster dose, which will be given no sooner than three months after completion of the primary course.
The flu clinical risk groups were initially considered as a potential way to identify and prioritise individuals at risk of COVID-19. However, when evaluating the data, the JCVI found that, although there was some overlap between the influenza clinical risk groups and those at high risk of severe COVID-19, there were some differences.