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 assess the implications for his policy on the first phase of priority groups in the covid-19 vaccination programme of regional health disparities.

The Government is committed to ensuring equal access to the vaccine and that no one eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in the first phase is left behind. It is clear, however, from both attitudinal surveys and data on uptake, that there is variation in levels of uptake across different geographies and communities.

On 13 February 2021, the Government Published the UK’s Vaccine Uptake Plan which recognises that some communities have long-standing barriers to engagement with services including for vaccination. The plan acknowledges the need to take a local, community-led approach, with support provided from government, NHS England and NHS Improvement and local authorities to coordinate and enable action. The plan is underpinned at national, regional and local level by four key enablers; working in partnership, removing barriers, data and information and conversations and engagement. Nationally, a Vaccination Equalities Committee has been established, which brings together government departments with representatives from the Association of Directors of Public Health, local authorities, Fire and Police services and third sector organisations, to advise and guide the vaccine deployment programme on addressing inequalities.