Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to help ensure the future protection for people who are (a) immunocompromised and (b) immunosuppressed who may still be at risk from covid-19 despite the vaccine rollout.
Immunocompromised individuals are a priority cohort for research into therapeutic and prophylaxis treatments, such as monoclonal antibody therapies, novel antivirals and repurposed compounds. The National Health Service is also developing plans to deploy monoclonal antibody therapies if these become available in coming months.
In addition, subject to final advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those most vulnerable to COVID-19 may be offered a booster vaccination. Until these treatments are available, patients with immunosuppression are advised to continue following advice to reduce their chance of exposure.