Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to his oral answer of 8 December 2020, Official Report, column 710, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on giving priority to (a) prison staff and (b) prisoners for the covid-19 vaccine.

The decision about who will be eligible for the vaccine and the priority in which it is given is being decided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, but detailed planning is underway between HMPPS, NHS and public health bodies to prepare for the delivery of vaccinations in prisons.

Healthcare teams are also prioritising influenza vaccination clinics in prisons and have been encouraged to complete these as early as possible, to minimise any impact on the Covid-19 vaccine programme.