Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
What plans he has to train healthcare professionals in communicating the (a) safety and (b) effectiveness of covid-19 vaccines.
We offer our thanks to all healthcare professionals for their exceptional work on the front line administering vaccines to those who are most vulnerable.
Safety is absolutely paramount in any vaccination programme. Public Health England have produced comprehensive training and information materials for COVID-19 vaccinators. These include information about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as key messages for healthcare professionals to convey to those being vaccinated.
All vaccinating staff involved in the deployment programme must complete training that includes modules on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Communicating about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine is also a component of the process for gaining informed consent.