Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) public health and (b) clinical advice his Department is providing to immunocompromised patients who (i) do not demonstrate an antibody response to vaccines for covid-19 and (ii) who are medically unable to take available therapies for that virus.

We have introduced enhanced protections which may benefit the small number of people whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 despite vaccination, which includes free testing and public health guidance on managing this risk. Antiviral treatments are also available, which can be accessed in the community and in hospital. While a small minority may not be able to receive an antiviral, as of 28 November 2022 Sotrovimab can be prescribed in exceptional circumstances where other treatments have been deemed unsuitable.

We are also exploring options for an antibody testing study this winter to improve the understanding of risks to this patient cohort. The scope of this study is currently being developed and further information will be available in due course.