Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how young people aged 16-18 in priority groups 4 or 6 are being supported to take-up the covid-19 vaccine; and what proportion of young people in those groups have been offered the vaccine.

The Government is committed to supporting all those offered the COVID-19 vaccine to take up this offer. Phase one of the vaccination programme includes those considered clinically extremely vulnerable in priority group four and those have underlying conditions which increase their risks from COVID-19 in priority group six. Both groups include all those who meet the clinical criteria and who are aged 16 years old and over.

The vaccine offer was communicated directly to all those in priority groups four and six by the National Health Service. Communications for those aged 18 years old or over are directly to the individual. For those aged 16-17 years old the communication is made by agreement by either with the individual or their parents or carers. General practitioners and other clinicians involved in a young person care are available to discuss any concerns they or their parents or carers may have.

Data is not held centrally on the number of people in priority groups four and six who have been offered the vaccine. Data is held on the number of people who have been vaccinated from these groups but is not held in the format requested.