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 ensure that under-18s have the opportunity to receive vaccines as part of under-18 vaccination programmes that were disrupted as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Catch-up programmes for immunisation services impacted by the pandemic have been taking place through community venues and closed school estates since August 2020. All providers continue to work with NHS England commissioners, with clinical advice from Public Health England, to deliver all missed vaccinations for under 18 year olds and to ensure routine childhood immunisations are delivered as planned in primary care and educational settings. We have raised awareness in the national media that the National Health Service immunisations are still available and worked with stakeholders on the need for vaccination in those entering higher education this autumn.