Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) safety and (b) delivery of the covid-19 vaccination programme for members of 3 Scots that are deployed and deploying to Afghanistan in relation to (i) the use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, (ii) information on delivery of second doses for service personnel still to be deployed and (iii) deployment without vaccination of some personnel who may miss their age group scheduled vaccination within the UK.

Members of 3 Scots will be offered either the Oxford/Astra Zeneca or Moderna vaccine, with both doses administered before deploying if possible. If necessary, second doses may be administered in theatre.

The department is aware of inaccurate information circulating within the wider 3 Scots community relating to vaccinations and their forthcoming deployment. The Commanding Officer has briefed his battalion and their families to ensure that all are reassured that they will receive their vaccinations in a safe and timely manner. The Commanding Officer and his team will continue to offer these briefings for as long as this misinformation continues to circulate.