27 January 2021

Federation Chair: "To keep the public safe you have to keep the police safe"

"To keep the public safe you have to keep the police safe"

The Chair of Dorset Police Federation is calling on the Government to set a definitive date when officers will receive the vaccine so they can continue to keep the public safe.

Anna Harvey said: "It’s reassuring to see the comments made by the chief executive of the NHS, we have been lobbying for officers to be prioritised for weeks.

"There is a clear rationale for officers receiving the vaccines, to keep the public safe you have to keep the police safe.

"However there is still no definitive date for any roll out and therefore our members are still at risk. It is imperative that we get this for our members."

This week, the chief executive of NHS England said teachers, police officers and other frontline workers may be in line for Covid-19 vaccines from 15 February, several weeks earlier than planned.

Sir Simon Stevens said there was a “legitimate discussion” to be had on whether to switch priority to those more likely to transmit coronavirus from those more susceptible to serious infection.

At Prime Minister Questions today Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer gave his backing to bringing forward key workers (teachers, police officers) getting the Covid-19 vaccine from mid-February, when the top 4 vulnerable groups have had it. Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined to agree with him.