Vaccines showcased 'best of UK health and science'
The Covid vaccination programme represented an unprecedented effort, marking the largest immunisation initiative in UK history. The Covid inquiry described it as an "extraordinary feat" that saved hundreds of thousands of lives. The development and deployment of vaccines occurred at an unprecedented pace, with processes that typically take years completed within months. The inquiry emphasized that safety and regulatory standards were maintained throughout.
Within a year, approximately 130 million doses were administered, resulting in over 90% of individuals aged 12 and above being immunised. To enhance vaccine uptake, authorities implemented innovative strategies such as pop-up clinics in community centres and faith-based venues. The NHS and government collaborated with local community leaders to address vaccine hesitancy. The inquiry concluded that the programme "showcased many of the best attributes of the UK's health and scientific systems."
Did government go too far on vaccines?
The inquiry highlighted that misinformation circulating online during the pandemic negatively impacted Covid vaccine uptake and subsequently undermined confidence in unrelated childhood vaccines. Distrust in authorities was notably high in certain communities, including ethnic minority groups and residents of deprived areas, which also contributed to hesitancy.
Addressing these issues remains essential. The inquiry also examined government policies mandating vaccination among health and care workers. In June 2021, the government required care workers in England to be vaccinated to work in care homes. Plans to extend this mandate to all health and care staff were later abandoned before implementation. The mandate for care home staff was revoked amid evidence indicating that while vaccines effectively protected individuals from severe illness, their ability to prevent infection and transmission was limited.
The inquiry suggested that vaccine mandates may have contributed to alienation and increased hesitancy. It emphasized the need for renewed efforts to rebuild trust in all vaccines.
How a simple steroid drug saved lives
While vaccines were a central focus, the report also acknowledged the UK's significant role in identifying effective treatments for Covid patients. The rapid deployment of dexamethasone, a low-cost steroid drug, exemplifies this contribution.
UK researchers quickly determined that dexamethasone reduced the immune system's overreaction in Covid patients, which could cause fatal lung damage. The drug was introduced in hospitals in June 2020, mere hours after trial results were confirmed and disseminated globally. By March 2021, dexamethasone was estimated to have saved 22,000 lives in the UK and one million worldwide.
Inquiry chair Baroness Hallett described it as "the single-most important treatment to have been used during the pandemic."
Give those harmed by vaccines bigger payouts
The report acknowledged that long-term health complications from Covid vaccines were rare but identified a small group who experienced serious injury or death as a result of vaccination.
Given that individuals were encouraged to receive vaccines partly to protect others, the inquiry stressed the importance of adequate support for those adversely affected. Over 20,000 people have submitted Covid-related claims to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, a government-funded financial support mechanism. However, only about 1% of these claims have resulted in one-off, tax-free awards of £120,000.
The report called for "urgent" reform of the scheme, stating it is "not sufficiently supportive." It criticized the current requirement for claimants to demonstrate at least "60% disabled" status as ineffective for Covid vaccine cases.
Additionally, the report noted that the £120,000 payout cap has remained unchanged since 2007 and recommended increasing it "at least in line with inflation," with new award levels reflecting the severity of injury.
