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Written question asked by Andrew Snowden (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Sharon Hodgson (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to review eligibility for NHS COVID-19 vaccination for people with severe heart failure and cardiomyopathy before the next vaccination programme.

Answer

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.

COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.

The focus of the JCVI advised programme is targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are older adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed.

The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice for spring 2026 and in line with the advice, a COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to the following groups:

  • adults aged 75 years old and over;

  • residents in care homes for older adults; and

  • individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency Green Book.

The Government has also accepted the JCVI advice for autumn 2026 and in line with the advice, a COVID-19 vaccination will be offered to the same groups as in spring 2026.

The JCVI keeps all vaccination programmes under review.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
6978
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Coronavirus Vaccination Cardiovascular diseases
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk