Fylde MP Mark Menzies asked the Secretary of State for Health to ensure all care home residents in Fylde get quick access to the Covid-19 vaccine.

Mr Menzies also paid tribute to NHS workers as he spoke to the Secretary of State for Health during a Covid-19 update to Parliament.

Joining the session via video link, Mr Menzies said: “I begin by joining the Secretary of State in thanking those in the NHS for the work they are doing at this incredible time. I also recognise that he has never shirked from taking really tough decisions, and that has no doubt saved lives.

“I have many care homes in Fylde, including lots of small care homes, family-run care homes and assisted-living homes. Can the Secretary of State assure me that work is being done to ensure that we can get the vaccine into those small care homes very quickly and speedily in the coming weeks?”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told him: “Yes, absolutely. My hon. Friend is kind in what he says, and I am grateful for his support for the approach that we have taken throughout the pandemic—I really appreciate it.

“As he says, it is precisely in order to save lives that we have taken the actions that we have. It has been harder to get the Pfizer jab to the smaller care homes because of the minus 70° storage requirements.

“That is much easier with the AstraZeneca vaccine, and today the NHS has written to GPs who are running the vaccines programme to stress the importance of getting the vaccine to care home residents and staff as soon as possible.”