Living with Covid-19 Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Living with Covid-19

Siobhan Baillie Excerpts
Monday 21st February 2022

(2 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister
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I might add that one of the most important factors in the success of the vaccine roll-out was the private sector. It was private sector investment that led to the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine. We will work with the private sector to continue to develop the country’s native, indigenous ability to manufacture mRNA and other types of vaccines.

Siobhan Baillie Portrait Siobhan Baillie (Stroud) (Con)
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Keeping healthy people at home in isolation has had a devastating impact on lives, businesses and important life events such as weddings. I therefore welcome these changes, and the move to trust the British people and allow people to plan with confidence. Yet we all have constituents who are immunocompromised and vulnerable, such as the woman who wrote to me this morning. We care about these people; despite what Opposition Members say, they do not have a monopoly on compassion. Will my right hon. Friend reassure us again that those people will get the support that they need, that the timing is right, and that there is no point in waiting to make these changes?

Boris Johnson Portrait The Prime Minister
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Yes, my hon. Friend is absolutely right. We will ensure that those people get not just the antivirals but the tests that they need.