Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure immunosuppressed patients are aware that they may be able to suspend their immunosuppressant medication in order to obtain a third primary covid-19 vaccine dose.

The Government regularly provides resources and additional information to charities and patient organisations representing those living with severely compromised immune systems. NHS England and NHS Improvement are developing tailored communications for specialists caring for each group of eligible patients within the immunosuppressed cohort. This will include template referral letters for clinicians to signpost people to receive their vaccination.

Any decision to defer immunosuppressive therapy or to delay the possible benefit from vaccination until after therapy should be taken by the specialist. These decisions should not be taken without due consideration to the risks from COVID-19 and from their underlying condition.