Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Homeless prioritised for Covid vaccine alongside at-risk adults, Hancock says

Move will ‘save more lives among those most at risk in society’, health secretary says

Zoe Tidman
Thursday 11 March 2021 19:11 GMT
Comments
UK Covid-19 vaccinations: Latest figures

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Homeless people will be prioritised for coronavirus vaccinations alongside adults in at-risk groups, the government has said.

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said the decision would “save more lives among those most at risk in society”.

It comes after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said rough sleepers were likely to have underlying health conditions and should be offered jabs alongside those in priority group six.

“The JCVI’s advice on Covid-19 vaccine prioritisation was developed with the aim of preventing as many deaths as possible,” Professor Wei Shen Lim, the body’s Covid-19 chair, said.

He added: "This advice will help us to protect more people who are at greater risk, ensuring that fewer people become seriously ill or die from the virus."

Mr Hancock said on Thursday he had accepted the JCVI’s recommendation and it was “important” that nobody was “left behind” by the vaccine rollout.

“We know there are heightened risks for those who sleep rough and today I have accepted the advice of the independent experts at the JCVI to prioritise those experiencing rough-sleeping or homelessness for vaccination alongside priority group six,” he said.

This priority group is made up of adults between 16 and 65 years old who are in an at-risk group, with all those aged 65 or over in priority group five.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in