A pressing challenge we face today is ensuring universal and free access to the COVID-19 vaccine in the United Kingdom.

Evidence suggests COVID vaccine can reduce the numbers of infection, hospitalisations, and deaths:

'Vaccination continues to help protect against severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths arising from COVID-19,' according to @ukhsa.bsky.social.

source: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/26/whos-eligible-for-the-2025-covid-19-vaccine-or-autumn-booster/

Recent policy decisions have failed to prioritize this crucial public health measure, ignoring both empirical evidence and the long-term health benefits of widespread vaccination.

Currently, a significant number of people still lack access to free COVID-19 vaccinations, which creates a substantial public health risk for everyone.

The restricted access policy not only compromises the health of individuals but also places undue additional pressure on the National Health Service (NHS), potentially leading to increased rates of Healthcare Associated COVID Infections and prolonged hospital stays due to COVID. Not forgetting the impact on waiting lists caused by COVID-related bed-blocking.

And let's not forget the impact of Long COVID on individuals, on families, on the NHS and care homes, on businesses, on schools and the wider education system, on the wider community, and on the economy.

These issues highlight a penny-wise, pound-foolish approach to public health policy, where short-term savings lead to far more considerable long-term costs.

Consider the evidence: effective COVID-19 vaccination strategies have been shown to save lives, to reduce the burden on our hospitals, and to mitigate long-term health complications associated with COVID-19. 

Experts, including those from organizations like the World Health Organisation and the British Medical Journal, continuously advocate for widespread vaccine access as an essential tool in combating the pandemic and preventing future outbreaks.

Here's a quote from a recent piece worth reading:

'As populations age globally, however, adult vaccination is emerging as a crucial tool for ensuring healthy ageing and resilient health systems—both through disease prevention and cost savings from averted care. Adult vaccination can also promote antimicrobial stewardship by directly reducing the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant infections and indirectly reducing antibiotic use.'  

The promise of lifelong vaccination - The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Issue 11, 1159, Vol 25, November 2025: www.thelancet.com/infection  Source: https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S1473-3099%2825%2900607-3

Moreover, comprehensive access to free COVID-19 vaccines is not merely a public health necessity but also a moral imperative. Ensuring every person, irrespective of their financial status, can receive the vaccine is the ethical duty of our government. Failure to do so disregards the essential right to health care and the protection of our community.

To address this urgent issue, we plead with policymakers to allocate the necessary resources to the NHS, enabling them to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine universally and free of charge to all UK residents - regardless of age, but subject to guidance from their GP in relation to their own individual health context.

Investing in public health is investing in our future—a future with healthier populations, stronger communities, and an empowered NHS.

Join us in demanding actionable change.

Please sign this petition to urge the UK government to overturn these shortsighted policies and make the COVID-19 vaccine universally available, free of charge.

Please also keep a look out for the petition that we hope will go live in the next few weeks, that asks for Parliament to: 'Make the COVID vaccine universally available, free of charge, to protect us all. Provide the resources required to ensure that the vaccine is available for all who would benefit from it, regardless of age.'

A two-pronged strategy to build the momentum and achieve the best outcome, with your support!

Together, we can protect our loved ones and our nation from preventable harm.

Thank you!