Department of Health and Social Care written question – answered at on 8 February 2021.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions the Government has had with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on including unpaid carers in its priority list for the covid-19 vaccine.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation decision not to include unpaid carers on the priority list for covid-19 vaccination of the policy whereby unpaid carers do have priority status for the influenza vaccination.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ask the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to revise its recommendation not to include unpaid carers on the priority list for covid-19 vaccinations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of adding unpaid care workers to the priority list for covid-19 vaccination.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) consists of independent experts who advise the Government on which vaccine/s the United Kingdom should use and provide advice on prioritisation at a population level. The JCVI has advised that the vaccine should be given to care home residents and staff, followed by people over 80 years old and health and social care workers.
We recognise the vital role unpaid carers play in caring for vulnerable individuals. JCVI recommends that carers who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill, should also be offered vaccination alongside people with underlying health conditions.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
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