MP backing wider access to vaccines

The Angus MP joined UNICEF at their recent drop-in event in the House of Commons.

In their flagship report, For Every Child, Vaccination, UNICEF reveals that 67 million children missed out on potentially lifesaving vaccines between 2019-21. Immunisation rates are now at their lowest level since 2008, with 7 in 8 girls unprotected against HPV – leaving them at severely increased risk of cervical cancer.

Around the world, many nations face economic constraints in rolling out immunisation programmes, putting millions of lives at risk – particularly children.

Mr Doogan said: “Every year, 4.4 million lives are saved by vaccines. We have a moral duty to expand access to life-saving vaccines for nations around the world, many of whom face huge hurdles in implementing their own programmes.

“The impact of the Covid pandemic on these efforts has been enormous, and every developed nation has a responsibility to help in this humanitarian priority. Immunisation levels are at their lowest since 2008 and this carries consequences for public health globally, not just in the global south. Economically too it just makes sense as every $1 invested in immunisations sees a £26 return on that investment.

"Vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide so I’m pleased to join UNICEF in their calls for the UK and other developed Governments to take action."

The MP concluded “On my social media channels, I have all manner of views on politics, for and against independence, the SNP, the Tories or me which is all fine, but I maintain a zero-tolerance policy on misinformation posts about vaccines which I immediately take down. I will never provide a platform for these hysterical claims.”