Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to disseminate information on COVID-19 to at risk groups, given that the monthly updates provided by the Department of Health and Social Care have ceased; and where they will get their updated information from to inform their decision regarding how to (1) protect, and (2) support, the clinically vulnerable from COVID-19.

The Government regularly reviews the COVID-19: guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk, which is available in an online-only format and was most recently updated on 30 January 2023. The Department also holds a regular Enhanced Protection Programme stakeholder forum with key organisations and charities that support at-risk groups. The forum, chaired by Dr Jenny Harries, offers the opportunity for stakeholders to be updated on the latest policy and clinical developments as well as offering the Department the chance to hear the issues people may be experiencing first-hand.

We continue to have in place surveillance arrangements that enable us to monitor any emerging COVID-19 variants and to assess their potential impact, particularly on people at high risk from COVID-19.