Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many community Covid-19 vaccination clinics have been issued with notice of closure in 2023.

Following the completion of the Autumn COVID-19 Booster Programme on 12 February 2023, NHS England and local providers have considered the ongoing provision of vaccination sites for COVID-19. NHS England and providers have established whether sites are likely to see unacceptable vaccine wastage, insufficient patient demand, or operate with reduced value for money over the coming months. Decisions on whether to pause or close sites are made at local level between commissioners and providers, with commissioners considering representation from Primary Care Network groupings and/or pharmacy contractors.

Between January 2023 and February 2023, 577 sites have now closed in England, including Tuebrook Hope Centre which is within the Liverpool West Derby constituency and 12 other COVID-19 community vaccination centres within the Liverpool area. An additional seven sites are in the process of closing in England.

Since the COVID-19 vaccination programme began almost 30,000 people in England have moved from the programme into wider health and care training and career pathways. Many staff members have continued working in the National Health Service on flexible or NHS bank contracts and as volunteers. NHS England has worked to retain staff able to support with any future vaccination campaigns with integrated care boards setting out retention plans to maintain the vaccination workforce and to minimise the impact of vaccination site closures on employed staff. NHS England also works with external organisations to retain volunteers including St John Ambulance, where over 900 volunteers have gone on to work in other roles in the NHS.