Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that people who are immunosuppressed are able to access covid-19 (a) vaccinations and (b) advice to reduce risk of infection.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available online through the National Booking System or via 119. An open letter from the National Health Service, charity and community leaders to people with a weakened immune system was published on 26 May 2022, encouraging individuals who are immunosuppressed to book an appointment or visit a walk-in centre to receive their vaccination. The letter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2022/05/open-letter-from-nhs-charity-and-community-leaders-to-people-with-a-weakened-immune-system/

The Government has also published guidance for those people whose immune system means that they are at higher risk from COVID-19. This guidance provides advice on vaccinations and treatments as well as protective behaviours to reduce the risk of infection. The guidance is available at the following link:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk