Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government plans to take to help ensure that clinically extremely vulnerable people will be protected from covid-19 in the plans to live with covid.

On 25 February 2022, the Government issued updated public health advice for people who were previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

For most people, they are no longer at substantially greater risk than the general population and are advised to follow general guidance on reducing the risk of infection with COVID-19, in addition to any further advice from their doctor.

Updated guidance was also issued for those whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, which is available at the following link:

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

Enhanced protection is also offered by treatments, additional vaccinations and potentially other non-clinical interventions. The NHS Volunteer Responders programme is available to offer short-term help, such as telephone support or help with collecting shopping, medication and other essential supplies.