Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 1 March (HL5824), which body will assume responsibility for ensuring that the immunocompromised will continue to be treated as a priority after the disbanding of the Antivirus and Therapeutics Taskforce, and its related programme and strategy boards.

In line with the Government’s strategy of living with COVID-19, as of 31 March 2023 the Antiviral and Therapeutics Taskforce has been stood down. The treatment of COVID-19 patients will continue to be overseen by National Health Service and will operate in line with evidence-based recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, following the established processes in this area.

The welfare of immunocompromised patients remains a priority, hence the enhanced protections we continue to offer, including the recently announced spring booster vaccinations, free lateral flow tests and guidance in addition to COVID-19 treatments.