Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of immunosuppressive medication on the effectiveness of covid-19 vaccinations; and whether those living with inflammatory immune-mediated conditions taking such medication should be advised to shield as a result.

The Virus Watch study, supported by NHS Test and Trace, shows a modestly reduced antibody response after one COVID-19 vaccine dose among individuals with immunosuppression, including those on immunosuppressive therapy. However, this is not a direct measure of protection and it is still early to determine impact on clinical disease or whether the antibody response remains after a complete course of vaccination.

Shielding was paused on 1 April 2021. Clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised to take the extra precautions provided by the Government to reduce their chance of infection and must continue to follow the current regulations.