Labour urges for vaccine prioritisation of key workers

Labour is calling for keyworkers in critical professions to be added to the first phase of the vaccination programme.

As deaths from the virus reached the tragic 100,000 milestone, Labour is calling for a faster, wider, vaccination programme where keyworkers most at risk of exposure are prioritised alongside those most likely to become seriously ill. Labour’s call for an expanded first-phase would see the JCVI draw up a list of critical workers prioritised for the vaccine alongside over 50s, 60s, and people with underlying health conditions.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has already pressed Prime Minister Boris Johnson to vaccinate teachers and support staff in February half-term as part of a national effort to get children back in the classroom. There is growing evidence that vaccination can reduce transmission, meaning school classes would not be disrupted due to teachers testing positive for the virus.

While the first phase of vaccination roll out has been rightly been focused on reducing deaths and hospitalisations, Labour is calling for vaccinations for keyworkers most exposed and most likely to transmit the virus, once those at highest risk of severe illness are most protected by mid-February.

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “The NHS rightly deserve congratulations for their impressive and speedy roll out of vaccinations. But now we need to go further and faster. Not only will vaccination acceleration save lives it will help us to carefully and responsibly reopen our economy and crucially ensure children are back in school as transmission reduces.”

“Ministers must bring forward plans to vaccinate key workers as soon as possible. Police officers, teachers, fire fighters and transport workers are just some of the key workers who have kept society functioning through this pandemic and are more exposed to the virus. We cannot afford to slow our vaccination efforts now.”