COVID-19: Planning for the vaccine (part 1)
Public Accounts Committee
Closed
Inquiry
Since the first cases of COVID-19 in the UK in January 2020, the impact on society and the economy has been significant. Government’s overall objective since May has been “to return to life as close to normal as possible, for as many people as possible, as fast and fairly as …
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7
Recommendations
24
Conclusions
1
Report
1
Oral session
9
Letters
1
Event
Activity timeline 12 events
3 Sep
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14 May
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25 Feb
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12 Feb
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Report published
1 Feb
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13 Jan
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11 Jan
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2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
11 Jan 2021
View on parliament.uk
COVID-19: Planning for a vaccine (part 1)
Emily Lawson · NHS England and NHS Improvement
Kate Bingham · UK Vaccine Taskforce
Michael Brodie · NHS Business Service Authority
Nick Elliott · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Sarah Munby · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Sir Chris Wormald · Department of Health and Social Care
Sir Simon Stevens · NHS England and NHS Improvement
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Planning for a vaccine Part 1 | HC 930 | 12 Feb 2021 | 31 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
31 results
2
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
Despite BEIS’s confidence, concerns remain over the vaccine supply chain.
Despite BEIS’s confidence, concerns remain over the vaccine supply chain. Under the Government’s ambitious plans, everyone who wants a vaccination should be able to have one by Autumn 2021. This will depend on continuing vaccine supply. Whilst BEIS asserts that …
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Government Response
The government response does not address the recommendation regarding an assessment of vaccine supply chain risks and a plan to address them.
HM Treasury
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3
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
BEIS has worked quickly to secure access to vaccines but could have been more transparent...
BEIS has worked quickly to secure access to vaccines but could have been more transparent about how decisions have been made. Transparency is essential to maintain public confidence and ensure taxpayers’ money is being well spent. BEIS has managed significant …
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Government Response
The government response does not address the recommendation for BEIS to review its investment decisions, appointment processes, and the use of the Taskforce model.
HM Treasury
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4
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
DHSC, NHSE&I and PHE will continue to face significant challenges in making sure they can...
DHSC, NHSE&I and PHE will continue to face significant challenges in making sure they can get the vaccine to the right people at the right time. Each vaccine will require different plans for deploying because each has different characteristics. Getting …
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Government Response
The government's response is a non-sequitur, referring to HM Treasury's breach of capital expenditure rather than providing an assessment of vaccine deployment challenges and risks as requested.
HM Treasury
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5
Recommendation
Accepted
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
There is a risk that NHSE&I and DHSC’s plans for the vaccine programme will not...
There is a risk that NHSE&I and DHSC’s plans for the vaccine programme will not meet public expectations. NHSE&I recognises that its goal to vaccinate the first four priority groups by 15 February is a huge task which it appears …
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Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation, stating it has already implemented it by publishing the Covid-19 Vaccine Delivery Plan and the COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Plan, and provides clear daily and weekly data, including breakdowns by age, region, ethnicity, and cohort.
HM Treasury
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6
Recommendation
Accepted
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
Public confidence in the vaccine programme is crucial to its success yet some members of...
Public confidence in the vaccine programme is crucial to its success yet some members of the public and health professionals were confused by the messaging about when and how people can access a vaccine. The number of people who choose …
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Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation and states it has already implemented it, detailing ongoing efforts in clear public communication, provision of information on NHS.UK and GOV.UK, sharing FAQs with partners, and establishing cross-government units to counter misinformation.
HM Treasury
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1
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Department of Health and Social Care (the Department), NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I), …
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Government Response
The government response refers to an unrelated PAC conclusion about BEIS's expenditure, completely failing to address the committee's introductory statement about the basis of its report.
HM Treasury
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7
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
BEIS created a Vaccines Taskforce (the Taskforce) in April 2020 to support the research and...
BEIS created a Vaccines Taskforce (the Taskforce) in April 2020 to support the research and development of potential vaccines, select which vaccines to purchase, secure the UK’s 7 Committee of Public Accounts, CPVID-19: Supply of Ventilators, HC 685, 25 November …
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Government Response
The government response reiterates the committee's description of the Vaccines Taskforce's creation and purpose, and does not provide new information or address the committee's implicit query about retaining skills and expertise.
HM Treasury
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8
Conclusion
Accepted
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
The Chair of the Taskforce took up the unpaid post in May 2020.
The Chair of the Taskforce took up the unpaid post in May 2020. The Chair was appointed by, and reported directly to, the Prime Minister until the term expired at the end of 2020.17 We asked the former Chair about …
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Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's observations, stating BEIS has considered its decision-making and appointments processes, implemented improvements for robust decision-making, and will consider replicating these improvements and sharing lessons learned with other departments.
HM Treasury
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9
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
Our report on Government’s procurement and supply of personal protective equipment during the pandemic found...
Our report on Government’s procurement and supply of personal protective equipment during the pandemic found that a failure to be transparent had opened up Government to accusations of poor value for money, conflicts of interest and preferential treatment of some …
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Government Response
The government agrees with the implied recommendation on transparency and conflicts of interest, outlining process improvements for decision-making, expert appointments, and managing conflicts within the Taskforce, while committing to future consideration of replicating these improvements and reporting lessons learned by April 2021.
HM Treasury
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10
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
We asked what premium the UK had paid for its access to the vaccines and...
We asked what premium the UK had paid for its access to the vaccines and their development at speed. BEIS asserted that the UK had not paid any premiums for access to the vaccines, as at the time the contracts …
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Government Response
The government response is a verbatim, truncated repetition of the committee's conclusion, providing no further information on vaccine procurement prices or quantities.
HM Treasury
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11
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
In response to our questions about whether the UK now had access to enough doses...
In response to our questions about whether the UK now had access to enough doses of vaccine or would need to go back to buy more from other suppliers, the former Chair of the Taskforce told us that the “we …
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Government Response
The government response reiterates the committee's observation that the UK has more vaccine doses than likely needed if all work, but does not provide its own specific update or position.
HM Treasury
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12
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
On 11 January 2021, the Secretary of State of Health and Social Care stated that...
On 11 January 2021, the Secretary of State of Health and Social Care stated that “the supply of the vaccine is currently the rate limiting step”.34 NHSE&I recognised that ensuring everyone who wants a vaccination can have one by Autumn …
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Government Response
The government response is a verbatim, truncated repetition of the committee's conclusion, offering no additional information on vaccine supply timetables.
HM Treasury
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13
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
Manufacturing the vaccines is the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies.
Manufacturing the vaccines is the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies. In order to ensure that vaccines can be provided quickly to the UK and reduce the risks to its supply of the vaccine, BEIS calculated that it needed to invest £519 …
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Government Response
The government response is a verbatim, truncated repetition of the committee's conclusion, providing no further details or updates on vaccine manufacturing capacity.
HM Treasury
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14
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
Government plans to have offered a first vaccine dose to everyone in the top four...
Government plans to have offered a first vaccine dose to everyone in the top four priority groups identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation by 15 February. This includes: all residents in a care home for older adults …
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Government Response
The government response is a verbatim, truncated repetition of the committee's conclusion, failing to engage with its content regarding vaccine rollout targets.
HM Treasury
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15
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
We asked NHSE&I whether the timetable for the roll-out of the vaccine was realistic, and...
We asked NHSE&I whether the timetable for the roll-out of the vaccine was realistic, and how fast it could reach those groups on the priority list. NHSE&I told us that over the first three weeks of the programme, it had …
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Government Response
The provided government response is truncated and merely repeats the committee's observations about the vaccine roll-out without addressing them or offering any new information.
HM Treasury
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16
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
NHSE&I is planning its deployment of vaccines in the face of high levels of uncertainty...
NHSE&I is planning its deployment of vaccines in the face of high levels of uncertainty because information about the COVID-19 vaccines is still changing. It needs to keep its plans under review to ensure it can respond to the latest …
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Government Response
The government response is a verbatim, truncated repetition of the committee's conclusion, offering no specific updates on plans for an annual vaccination programme or response to changing vaccine information.
HM Treasury
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17
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
Decisions about who will be vaccinated were taken by the Secretary of State for Health...
Decisions about who will be vaccinated were taken by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, as is the case with all vaccination programmes, based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.47 The Joint Committee …
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Government Response
The government response is a verbatim, truncated repetition of the committee's conclusion, providing no new information on vaccine prioritisation decisions or advice.
HM Treasury
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18
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
We asked what progress had been made in identifying who would be prioritised in the...
We asked what progress had been made in identifying who would be prioritised in the next phase of the vaccine programme and whether those in key services, for example education, transport and those working in supermarkets, would be given priority. …
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Government Response
The government response is a verbatim, truncated repetition of the committee's conclusion, failing to address the content or provide an update on vaccine prioritisation.
HM Treasury
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19
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
Each potential vaccine will require different plans for deploying it to the public because each...
Each potential vaccine will require different plans for deploying it to the public because each vaccine has different characteristics. This includes the temperature vaccines need to be stored at, their shelf-life once open, and any preparatory work needed before they …
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Government Response
The government response reiterates the committee's observations about the differing logistical requirements for vaccine deployment based on their characteristics, without adding new information or committing to further action.
HM Treasury
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20
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
In September 2020, NHSE&I estimated that it could need up to 46,000 additional staff to...
In September 2020, NHSE&I estimated that it could need up to 46,000 additional staff to deliver the COVID-19 vaccination programme, including 26,000 vaccinators and 20,000 administrative staff. It planned to fill these posts through a combination of existing primary care …
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Government Response
The government response reiterates the committee's conclusion about the estimated staffing needs for the vaccination program and the successful recruitment efforts, but provides no new information or specific government action.
HM Treasury
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21
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
The NHSE&I concluded that it was not possible to deliver both the COVID-19 and seasonal...
The NHSE&I concluded that it was not possible to deliver both the COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccinations solely through existing arrangements such as GP practices and community pharmacies. In response, it developed three new delivery models to take account of …
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Government Response
The government response reiterates the committee's conclusion on NHSE&I's development of new vaccine delivery models and the importance of local oversight, but offers no new information or specific government action.
HM Treasury
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22
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
We were concerned that this approach risked creating a ‘stop-start’ system where the logistics for...
We were concerned that this approach risked creating a ‘stop-start’ system where the logistics for vaccinations people were in place, but would be difficult to get up and running again if the roll-out was paused while other areas caught up. …
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Government Response
The government response reiterates the committee's concern about a 'stop-start' vaccination system and NHSE&I's confirmation of considering smooth distribution, but provides no new information or specific government action.
HM Treasury
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23
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
In its written evidence to us, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics noted that COVID-19 had...
In its written evidence to us, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics noted that COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact on groups who already had unmet health needs, such as poorer and BAME communities, those living in care and those with learning …
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Government Response
The government response reiterates the committee's conclusion regarding the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups and PHE's recognition of the issue, but does not provide its own specific response or update.
HM Treasury
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24
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
NHSE&I recognised that its goal of vaccinating the top four priority groups by mid- February...
NHSE&I recognised that its goal of vaccinating the top four priority groups by mid- February was a huge task.67 We noted that it would be essential for Departments to be clear in the language they used to describe progress with …
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Government Response
The government response reiterates the committee's observation and concern regarding the clarity of language used to describe vaccine progress, but does not provide its own specific response or planned actions.
HM Treasury
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25
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
When it was first rolled-out, the vaccine programme included a three-week break between people receiving...
When it was first rolled-out, the vaccine programme included a three-week break between people receiving their first and second doses. In December 2020, the Government announced that the second dose of the vaccine would be administered 12 weeks after the …
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Government Response
The government accepts the committee's conclusion by reiterating that the 12-week gap between doses was based on independent JCVI advice to maximise the early impact of the vaccination programme.
HM Treasury
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26
Conclusion
Accepted
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
In 2019–20 the long-established seasonal flu vaccination programme had a take-up rate of 72% among...
In 2019–20 the long-established seasonal flu vaccination programme had a take-up rate of 72% among those aged 65 years and older, and up to 45% for those aged 64 years or younger. NHSE&I explained that it was using the flu …
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Government Response
The government accepts the conclusion, stating that Public Health England, in partnership with NHS England and Improvement, continues to develop insights into vaccine hesitancy using academic experts, behavioural scientists, regular polling, and qualitative research.
HM Treasury
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27
Conclusion
Accepted
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
PHE recognised that people trust their local GP, local faith groups and community groups so...
PHE recognised that people trust their local GP, local faith groups and community groups so public health organisations and local government will have an important role to play to encourage people to take-up the vaccine. Flu vaccination programmes have also …
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Government Response
The government accepts the importance of convenience and trusted local sources for vaccine uptake and is working to provide choices for vaccination locations (GP practices, pharmacies, mass centres) and culturally sensitive messaging through local authorities and community leaders.
HM Treasury
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28
Conclusion
Accepted
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
The number of people who choose to have the vaccine will ultimately be determined by...
The number of people who choose to have the vaccine will ultimately be determined by public trust in the vaccines.78 Our previous reports have shown the importance of clear and consistent communication and that a lack of information during the …
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Government Response
The government accepts the importance of public trust and clear communication, detailing its ongoing efforts to provide public information via NHS.UK and GOV.UK, sustained communications campaigns informed by polling, and cross-government work to counter myths and misinformation.
HM Treasury
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29
Conclusion
Accepted
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
Research commissioned by PHE showed that about two-thirds of the population were very likely to...
Research commissioned by PHE showed that about two-thirds of the population were very likely to take-up the vaccine, around 10% were unlikely, and the rest were uncertain. For those who were uncertain or unlikely to have the vaccine, efficacy and …
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Government Response
The government accepts the importance of clear communication and outlines ongoing efforts, including detailed public information on NHS.UK and GOV.UK, proactive communications campaigns based on polling, sharing information with community leaders, and cross-government work to counter misinformation.
HM Treasury
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30
Recommendation
Accepted
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
We were concerned by reports of confusion among health professionals and the public about what...
We were concerned by reports of confusion among health professionals and the public about what to expect from the vaccine programme and when. We asked NHSE&I how it was ensuring clear lines of communication so that people had access to …
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Government Response
The government accepts the need for clear communication, including FAQs, and details its ongoing efforts to provide public information via NHS.UK and GOV.UK, proactive communications campaigns, and the sharing of FAQs with partners and community leaders.
HM Treasury
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31
Conclusion
Accepted
Forty-Third Report - COVID-19: Pla…
NHSE&I explained that it would give people “more than one channel and more than one...
NHSE&I explained that it would give people “more than one channel and more than one chance” to come forward for a vaccine. It expected to have to go back to people who did not come forward after being contacted to …
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Government Response
The government states it has worked closely with various bodies on clear public communication regarding vaccine development and rollout, maintaining proactive information campaigns to inform the public, address vaccine hesitancy, and tackle misinformation to prevent scams.
HM Treasury
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Correspondence 9 letters
14 May 2021
Correspondence from Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, re Response to the Committee re: Planning for a vaccine Part 1 PAC Report, dated 30 April 2021
Parliament page
20 Apr 2021
Correspondence from Sir Chris Wormald KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care, re The panning for a Vaccine (Part 1) PAC hearing, dated 12 April 2021
Parliament page
16 Apr 2021
To committee
Correspondence from letter from Sir Chris Wormald KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Health and Social Care, and Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, re Panning for a Vaccine Part 1 PAC hearing, dated 7 April 2021
Parliament page
16 Apr 2021
Correspondence from Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, re Response to the Committee re: Planning for a vaccine Part 1 PAC Report, dated 31 March 2021
Parliament page
16 Mar 2021
Correspondence from NHS Chief Executive, Sir Simon Stevens, re Follow up to the Public Accounts Committee Oral Evidence Session on Covid- 19 Vaccines, dated 11 February 2021
Parliament page
8 Mar 2021
Correspondence from Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, re Planning for a vaccine Part 1 PAC Report, dated 26 February 2021
Parliament page
25 Feb 2021
Correspondence from Sir Chris Wormald KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care, re 11 Jan hearing on Covid 19 vaccine planning, dated 18 February 2021
Parliament page
1 Feb 2021
Correspondence from Michael Brodie, Interim Chief Executive, Public Health England, re COVID-19: Planning for a vaccine (part 1), dated 25 January 2021
Parliament page
13 Jan 2021
Correspondence from Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Sir Chris Wormald, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care, re COVID-19 Indemnities, dated 31 December 2020
Parliament page