Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake among (1) people with physical and mental disabilities, (2) people with physical and mental chronic illnesses, (3) people who have been sheltering for much of 2020, (4) elderly people, (5) carers, and (6) people who are reluctant to be vaccinated due to anti-vaccine propaganda on social media and elsewhere.

The Department has met with organisations representing the health sector, adult social care sector, charities and patient groups to gather insight and build support for pro-vaccine communications to encourage take-up of potential COVID-19 vaccines. These stakeholders represent groups that reflect the interim prioritisation advice published by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which recommends that the vaccine should first be given to care home residents and staff, followed by people over 80 years old and health and social workers, then to the rest of the population in order of age and clinical risk factors in the initial phase. Messaging will address vaccine safety, quality and efficacy of any vaccine.