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 7 December 2022 to Question 94752 on Vaccination, with reference to the findings of the UK Health Security Agency's reports on (a) Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV) coverage report, England, April 2020 to March 2021, dated 23 November 2021 and (b) Shingles vaccine coverage (England): annual report of the financial year 2021 to 2022, last updated 11 November 2022, what steps his Department is taking to increase vaccine uptake.

The Department works with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the NHS to improve immunisation access by providing clear, accurate information about eligibility, and the benefits of vaccines.

For both the adult pneumococcal and shingles vaccinations, general practices (GPs) proactively invite patients to come forward throughout the year when they reach the eligible age. GPs also provide these vaccines opportunistically when patients visit their GP for any other reason. The Department encourages anyone unsure of their vaccination status or eligibility, to contact their GP for advice.