New laws to allow physiotherapists, paramedics and pharmacists to administer a coronavirus vaccine were introduced by the Government on Friday.
An expanded, trained workforce to deploy the vaccine when it is ready will also include student nurses and doctors under changes to regulations first revealed by i last month.
The recruitment is necessary due to the tens of millions of people who may be eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine.
Temporary authorisation has also been granted for new vaccines to be administered even if they have not yet been officially licensed, as i also revealed.
‘Public health threats’
This move is an emergency measure which can be invoked in the face of “public health threats” and is only granted if the vaccine meets the “highest safety, quality and effectiveness standards and there’s a significant public health justification for doing so”, the Department of Health said.
The expanded workforce could also include the army but they are likely to be involved in logistics, distribution and protection of vaccine stockpiles.
Pharmacists and physiotherapists will also be able to administer the flu vaccine under the plan to expand eligible people to the 50 to 65-year-olds.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The NHS has vast experience in vaccinating millions of people against diseases every year.
“These legal changes will help us in doing everything we can to make sure we are ready to roll out a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine as soon as it has passed clinical trials and undergone rigorous checks by the regulator.”
‘Patient safety’
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said: “Covid-19 vaccines are being developed at speed which, if successful, will save lives.
“All vaccines must undergo three stages of clinical trials and be assessed for safety and effectiveness by the regulator before they are given to patients.
“The measures outlined today aim to improve access and strengthen existing safeguards protecting patients.”
Dr Christian Schneider, Interim Chief Scientific Officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said: “Patient safety is our top priority. The independent Commission on Human Medicines will advise the UK government on the safety, quality and effectiveness of any potential vaccine. No vaccine will be deployed unless stringent standards have been met through a comprehensive clinical trial programme.
“The preferred route to enable deployment of any new vaccine remains through the usual product licensing processes.
“But reinforced safeguards are now in place to strengthen the regulatory regime and our ability to protect public health, should temporary authorisations be necessary.”