To ask the Minister of Health to outline the information that recommends people continue to receive COVID vaccinations.

Throughout the course of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, we have followed the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI), an independent expert advisory committee. JCVI consider all the available scientific evidence, both published and unpublished, before offering their advice to the four UK Health Ministers. JCVI published their advice in relation to the autumn booster programme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jcvi-updated-statement-on-the-covid-19-vaccination-programme-for-autumn-2022/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation-jcvi-updated-statement-on-the-covid-19-vaccination-programme-for-autumn-2022

COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions. This winter it is expected that many respiratory infections, including COVID-19 and flu may be circulating at high levels, this may put increasing pressure on hospitals and other health care services. For these reasons, people aged 50 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 5 years and over in clinical risk groups are being offered an autumn booster of COVID-19 vaccine, in line with JCVI advice.

A booster is also be offered to front-line health and social care staff, those who care for vulnerable individuals and families of individuals with weakened immune systems.

The autumn booster is being offered to those at high risk of the complications of COVID-19 infection, who may have not been boosted for a few months. As the number of COVID-19 infections increases over the winter, this booster should help to reduce their risk of being admitted to hospital with COVID-19. I would therefore encourage all eligible individuals to continue to follow the expert advice of JCVI and take up the offer of vaccination