Maria Eagle MP A Strong Voice in Tough Times
It was great to meet so many representatives from different organisations across the immunisation industry and front-line health services this week for Westminster Flu day. Over 65s ✔️,children ✔️, health workers ✔️ carers ✔️ & those with conditions that make them vulnerable ✔️should make sure to get the flu jab this winter.
AstraZeneca, who make flu nasal spray for young children, spoke to me about the importance of having flu immunisation manufacturers in the UK in case of a future pandemic. This is something I’ve also heard from flu manufacturer Seqirus based in Speke, the only company in the UK who manufacture the flu vaccine here and have recently developed a new vaccine for the over 65s.
However, the threat of a hard Brexit and uncertainty caused by the Tories’ shambolic handling of reaching a deal with the EU, means the future of flu vaccine manufacturers remaining here is at risk. We are overdue a flu pandemic, so it’s essential that access to vaccines here isn’t obstructed by us crashing out of the EU customs union. That’s just one reason I’ll be voting against the Brexit deal on Monday, and why I continue to push for a peoples’ vote on the final deal with the option to remain in the EU.