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Written Question
Measles: Vaccination
Monday 29th January 2024

Asked by: Fleur Anderson (Labour - Putney)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help encourage vaccine uptake for measles in (a) London and (b) England.

Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is offered as a part of the childhood immunisation schedule, and there are several campaigns underway to increase uptake nationally. These include a targeted National Health Service campaign, launched in July 2023, to contact parents and carers of children aged between one and five years old, who were not fully vaccinated.

We are also launching a follow up campaign targeting unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children aged between six and 11 years old. In London this includes all those unvaccinated and partially vaccinated aged between 11 and 25 years old. Additionally, NHS England is working closely with the UK Health Security Agency and local health partners and communities to understand the needs of their populations and to tailor immunisation programmes to meet the needs of under-vaccinated communities. Efforts include offering alternative vaccination sites, local and national media coverage to raise awareness, and community outreach work to support increased uptake.


The MMR and polio catch-up campaign which was launched in London in May 2023 has resulted in 25,000 MMR vaccines being administered. NHS London has also offered MMR vaccines in nurseries and schools to make it easier for parents to vaccinate their children, and has worked with community and faith leaders to engage these communities and highlight the importance for anyone eligible to take up the vaccination offer.


Written Question
Coronavirus: Vaccination
Thursday 21st December 2023

Asked by: Lord Mendelsohn (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact to the NHS of the 16.9 per cent uptake rate, as at 29 October, for the autumn COVID-19 booster vaccine by immunocompromised patients; and what steps they will take to increase uptake among that cohort before the vaccination programme is due to end on 15 December.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Data published by NHS England reported the number of immunosuppressed individuals aged between five and 64 years old that had received vaccination by 29 October 2023 as 326,143. It is not understood where the 16.9% uptake rate within the question has been derived. The published data shows a total number of individuals who have received autumn vaccination broken down by four cohorts.

We continue to work with NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency to improve immunosuppressed uptake nationally, by understanding drivers of hesitancy, improving the quality of our published data, ensuring it is easy and convenient to book and access vaccinations, and by continuing a variety of campaign activities throughout the winter including the Get Winter Strong campaign. This was launched on 1 November 2023 and encourages those eligible, specifically the clinically most vulnerable, who have not yet come forward for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to do so.

NHS England has produced and shared a range of targeted communications materials encouraging people who are immunosuppressed to take up their offer of a COVID-19 booster vaccine, including posters, display screen visuals and social media cards. There are also materials to raise awareness that immunosuppressed household contacts are also eligible for vaccination. These assets have been translated into 28 languages to reach people from a wide range of communities through their native languages and have helped general practices, vaccination centres, pharmacies and other sites to promote COVID-19 and flu vaccination this autumn and winter.

The Government’s Chief Medical Officer, Prof Sir Chris Whitty, also wrote to the main charities representing the clinically most vulnerable patient cohorts, to publicise this Autumn’s campaign, and to enable them to signpost the offer to their patient communities.


Written Question
Jobcentres: Staff
Tuesday 19th December 2023

Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham, Deptford)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the wellbeing of Jobcentre staff.

Answered by Paul Maynard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

DWP continues to review and refine its wellbeing offer to ensure it remains up-to-date, relevant, and accessible to all. We have a DWP Colleague ‘My Wellbeing button’. The button enables quick, easy access to our DWP Wellbeing support offer from everyone’s desktop and takes colleagues to a newly designed wellbeing triage page where colleagues can quickly access the right information and support based on their needs. For example, ‘I need support today’ through to ‘I am looking for guidance as a line manager’. The purpose of this button is to raise the visibility of our wellbeing offer and provide a quick and streamlined journey to the service required, strengthening our culture of putting colleague wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

Within the Wellbeing button, the below support can be found:

Employee Assistance Provision which includes:

  • Telephone counselling via PAM Assist is available to all colleagues at any time of the day or night, 365 days a year for anyone needing immediate support.
  • The PAM Assist service enables colleagues, where clinically appropriate, to access counselling by telephone or face-to-face.
  • A free app with access to online coaches, offering Food Coach/Fitness Coach/Mind Coach/Lifestyle Coach/Health Coach.
  • Managers can also contact PAM for advice on sensitive conversations, bereavement support and much more.
  • Physiotherapy provision.
  • PAM wellbeing workshops which colleagues can book onto and cover things such as SAD and winter wellness, mindfulness, mental health, stress.

Flu vaccinations: Information for all DWP colleagues who are not able to access, or are not eligible for, the NHS flu vaccine can claim a refund if they choose to have a flu vaccination in 2023/24.

‣ Details of key wellbeing dates across the year which includes events/webinars to promote the day along with helpful tips for staff.

‣ A network of over 1,000 wellbeing advocates. Colleagues who have been given permission to give 5% of their time to support employee wellbeing. Colleagues can call them to discuss the wellbeing support offer and they actively promote the offer through giving presentations locally. We also have a Buddy Network who are volunteers that colleagues can call if they ever feel lonely and simply want a chat and have a wellbeing check-in.

Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) who are specially trained colleagues who offer immediate support to others experiencing mental ill health or emotional distress. They also look out for early signs of developing issues and promote mental health awareness across the Department.

Community Networks, these range from networks offering support with the Menopause, Cancer, alcohol, religion and more. They offer peer to peer support and regularly run events.

Eye test – colleagues can access a free eye test once every two years or more frequently if advised by an optician or medical advisor, or if they are having visual problems whilst working at a workstation.

Sanitary provision - DWP provide free sanitary products across the DWP Estate for anyone with an immediate need, to support colleague health and wellbeing.

Charity for Civil Servants who offer Independent, impartial financial and emotional support to all Civil Servants. Assistance includes help for carers, financial support and advice, wellbeing support, mindfulness, anxiety support, nutrition, sleep, menopause, bereavement and Podcasts and Webinars

Wellbeing and Resilience Toolbox which can be accessed by Line managers to lead their own team training on resilience, slide packs and facilitator packs are available to talk their team through sessions.

5 step Wellbeing Conversation Tools - a tool to help colleagues discuss how they are feeling, identify early warning signs of emotional distress, and explore a way forward.

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) – This document is to aid employee and line manager discussions (related to mental health/wellbeing). The WRAP is designed to help employees to reflect on the causes and symptoms of their own workplace mental health and wellbeing challenges, and to take practical steps to manage these.

Stress evaluation tool – this tool is designed to assist staff to concentrate on pro-active and preventative measures to good stress management.

Annually we update the DWP voluntary reporting on disability, mental health and wellbeing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) voluntary report on Gov UK.


Written Question
Coronavirus: Vaccination
Monday 18th December 2023

Asked by: Ben Lake (Plaid Cymru - Ceredigion)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 14 November 2023 to Question 395 on Coronavirus: Vaccination, what steps she is taking to implement the advice of the JCVI on the rollout of the autumn 2023 booster programme to people who are immunocompromised.

Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)

As recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the autumn 2023 COVID-19 vaccination programme includes all those aged between six months and 64 years old in a clinical risk group, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book. This includes those with immunosuppression.

We continue to work with NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to improve immunosuppressed uptake nationally, by understanding drivers of hesitancy, improving the quality of our published data, ensuring it is easy and convenient book and access vaccinations, and by continuing a variety of campaign activities throughout the winter including UKHSA’s ‘get winter strong’ campaign. This was launched on 1 November 2023 and encourages those eligible, specifically the clinically most vulnerable, who have not yet come forward for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to do so.

NHS England has produced and shared a range of targeted communications materials encouraging people who are immunosuppressed to take up their offer of a COVID-19 booster vaccine, including posters, display screen visuals and social media cards. There are also materials to raise awareness that those who are a household contact of an immunosuppressed person are also eligible for vaccination. These materials have been translated into 28 languages to reach people from a wide range of communities through their native languages and have helped general practices, vaccination centres, pharmacies, and other sites to promote COVID-19 and flu vaccination this autumn/winter.

The Government’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, also wrote to the main charities representing the clinically most vulnerable patient cohorts, to publicise this autumn’s campaign, and to enable them to signpost the offer to their patient communities.

The autumn campaign remains open and all those who are eligible but who have not yet come forward are encouraged to take up their vaccination.


Written Question
Coronavirus: Vaccination
Wednesday 29th November 2023

Asked by: Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour - Tooting)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to promote the uptake of Covid-19 booster vaccinations.

Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)

Throughout autumn and winter, the Government and the National Health Service are encouraging those that are eligible to take up the Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccination offer. A range of communications are in place to ensure those eligible are aware of the offer. This includes:

- NHS England’s national call/recall programme which coordinates mail and text message prompts to those eligible; in addition to communications from general practices and pharmacies;

- an extensive public information, media and external affairs communications programme;

- a paid Winter Vaccinations campaign ‘Get vaccinated. Get winter strong’, which launched on 1 November 2023 and is running up to 17 December 2023 across a range of broadcast and digital channels supported by audience tailored activity;

- a health and social care workforce communications programme; and

- provision by NHS England of financial arrangements to encourage providers to accelerate take up of both vaccines.


Written Question
Influenza: Vaccination
Wednesday 29th November 2023

Asked by: Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour - Tooting)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to promote the uptake of influenza vaccinations.

Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)

Throughout autumn and winter, the Government and the National Health Service are encouraging those that are eligible to take up the Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 vaccination offer. A range of communications are in place to ensure those eligible are aware of the offer. This includes:

- NHS England’s national call/recall programme which coordinates mail and text message prompts to those eligible; in addition to communications from general practices and pharmacies;

- an extensive public information, media and external affairs communications programme;

- a paid Winter Vaccinations campaign ‘Get vaccinated. Get winter strong’, which launched on 1 November 2023 and is running up to 17 December 2023 across a range of broadcast and digital channels supported by audience tailored activity;

- a health and social care workforce communications programme; and

- provision by NHS England of financial arrangements to encourage providers to accelerate take up of both vaccines.


Written Question
Respiratory System: Diseases
Wednesday 15th November 2023

Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)

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 reduce the impact of (a) covid-19, (b) flu and (c) other respiratory infections on people with (i) cystic fibrosis and (b) other long-term lung conditions in winter 2023.

Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is an independent group of experts which advises the Government health departments on immunisations and the prevention of infectious disease in all four nations of the United Kingdom. For both the COVID-19 and flu vaccination programmes, the JCVI has advised a targeted approach to protect the most vulnerable from severe disease, namely hospitalisation and death, including older individuals and individuals with specified existing clinical conditions. In autumn 2023, individuals with chronic respiratory disease, including cystic fibrosis, are eligible for a COVID-19 and flu vaccination in all nations of the UK, as advised by JCVI. It is also important that these individuals also take up any of the national immunisations for which they are eligible, as this is the best way to protect themselves, their families and wider society.

NHS England wrote on 27th July to integrated care boards (ICBs) and trusts setting out the approach to winter planning and the key steps needed to deliver operational resilience across the National Health Service this winter. The NHS England letter includes a summary of ICBs’ responsibilities in relation to high-impact actions to prevent avoidable emergency admissions, including frailty services, virtual wards, urgent community response services, single point of access for urgent care, and acute respiratory infection hubs, and support timely and effective hospital discharge including care transfer hubs. Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs should continue prioritising acute respiratory infection and provide same day urgent assessment with the benefit of releasing capacity in accident and emergency and general practice to support system pressures.


Written Question
Vaccination: Take-up
Thursday 26th October 2023

Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what research they are undertaking to determine the reasons for vaccine hesitancy amongst communities or sections of society with traditionally low take-up; and what steps they are undertaking to combat such hesitancy.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.


Written Question
Coronavirus: Vaccination
Wednesday 13th September 2023

Asked by: Earl Russell (Liberal Democrat - Excepted Hereditary)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure accurate and timely monitoring of (1) new COVID-19 cases, and (2) new variants of the disease; and when the next round of booster vaccines will be made available to each age group.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) conducts routine monitoring and surveillance of COVID-19 and the emergence and spread of new variants internationally via a range of surveillance systems and genomic capabilities. These systems report on infection rates, hospitalisations and the risks posed by new variants.

This year’s autumn influenza and COVID-19 vaccine programmes is starting earlier than planned in England, on 11 September 2023, as a precautionary measure. Speeding up the Autumn vaccine programme will deliver greater protection, supporting those at greatest risk of severe illness and reducing the potential impact on the National Health Service.

The COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to:

- residents in a care home for older adults;

- all adults aged 65 years and over;

- persons aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group;

- frontline health and social care workers;

- persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression; and

- persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers and staff working in care homes for older adults.

An appointment will be offered to eligible people between September and December 2023, with those at highest risk being called in first. Those eligible for vaccination are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine as soon as they are called to ensure they head into winter with the best protection.


Written Question
Vaccination: Take-up
Friday 8th September 2023

Asked by: Elliot Colburn (Conservative - Carshalton and Wallington)

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 reduce variations in the level of the uptake of routine vaccination programmes.

Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)

The Department works with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England to improve immunisation coverage for all, including those from under-vaccinated communities, through a range of initiatives. This includes data to better identify under-served individuals and populations, training for healthcare professionals and communication with the public, offering alternative delivery routes and local outreach efforts to connect with communities with historically lower uptake are informed of the benefits of vaccines. It also includes ensuring everyone can access through provision of immunisation leaflets available in over 15 languages as well as being available in braille, BSL, large print and audio versions.

It is vitally important that everyone takes up the vaccinations to which they are entitled; for themselves, their families, and wider society. Anyone unsure about their eligibility or vaccination status should contact their GP for advice.