Any vaccine must be delivered by the NHS and public health bodies, not private firms

Commenting today (Monday) on encouraging preliminary findings for Pfizer’s Covid vaccine, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“Although it’s still early days, this could be the news the world’s been waiting for.

“But after the test and trace fiasco, there must be proper transparency and scrutiny this time around.

“The government should use the next few days and weeks well to ensure that when the vaccine’s ready, its rollout is managed entirely by the NHS and public health bodies.

“Private firms mustn’t be allowed anywhere near the programme to give the vaccine to the over 80s, health and care staff, and then the wider population.

“The vaccine must be delivered by healthcare professionals. The thousands of ex-health workers who offered their services to the NHS as the first wave hit would be perfect to do this.

“Encouraging, rather than forcing, care and NHS staff to have the vaccine so they can be effective advocates for wider take-up among their colleagues, family members and friends will be important too.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

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