Calls for police in Essex to get priority access to COVID-19 vaccination
The Police Federation of England and Wales is calling on Boris Johnson to "do the right thing"
The chair of Essex Police Federation has joined calls for officers to get priority access to COVID vaccines.
National Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) Chair John Apter hit out after the Government did not announce a decision on where police officers sit in the order of the vaccine roll-out.
It follows weeks of lobbying by PFEW and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
John has now written directly to NPCC Chair Martin Hewitt requesting that new and urgent representations are made directly to Government over the issue so rank and file officers are "given the protection they deserve".
Laura Heggie, chair of Essex Police Federation, said:
"As we have done throughout the pandemic in Essex the officers continue to work and put themselves at risk in order to protect the public.
"With the infection rate throughout Essex being one of the highest in the country, officers are understandably anxious and we believe that priority should be given to officers once the elderly, extremely vulnerable and NHS have received the vaccine."
Frontline health and social care workers are second in the Government’s published priority list for the vaccine roll-out.
National chair, John said it is "time for the Prime Minister to do the right thing for police officers in the thick of this pandemic":
"I am calling on him to back my colleagues in their time of need as more are absent from work after contracting the virus or having to self-isolate.
"We’ve lobbied the NPCC who have raised this directly with Government.
"Despite positive responses no formal decision has been made, and we now need immediate Government action.
"That’s why the Prime Minister must make a decision – does he support police officers being prioritised for the COVID vaccine or not?
"This is certainly not about jumping the queue in front of the most vulnerable members of society or those on the NHS frontline.
"It’s about ensuring policing is resilient enough to cope with the demands of the pandemic and that my colleagues can continue to support the public during these exceptional times."
In his letter, John stressed PFEW’s full support for the lobbying and wrote that he valued NPCC’s help and understanding on the "vitally important issue".
However, he added:
"If we expect police officers to continue to police in the way that we do then it’s essential they are given the protection they deserve.
"Getting hands on and working in close contact with members of the public is often unavoidable.
"This creates a risk, not only for our members and the public they are dealing with, but also for the officers’ families.
"I formally request that the NPCC makes representations to ensure that police officers are prioritised as part of the COVID vaccine programme."
According to an independent report by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which is published on the Government website, "vaccination of those at increased risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 due to their occupation could also be a priority in the next phase".
It adds:
"This could include first responders, the military, those involved in the justice system, teachers, transport workers, and public servants essential to the pandemic response.
"Priority occupations for vaccination are considered an issue of policy, rather than for JCVI to advise on.
"JCVI asks that the Department of Health and Social Care consider occupational vaccination in collaboration with other government departments."