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Vaccine easier to access for those with HIV
Vaccine now easier to access for those with HIV in England & Wales
Following a campaign by HIV/sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), the government has announced new Covid-19 vaccine rules that will enable people living with HIV in England to access the vaccine in phase six of the roll out as planned – without having to share their HIV status with their doctor. This decision, which follows the same announcement by the Welsh government, is in recognition of the stigma many people living with HIV still face – including within healthcare – and means this group will now be able to access the vaccine by contacting their HIV clinic directly.
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In accordance with the government’s timetable, HIV+ people are able to access the vaccine after people aged 65 and over and alongside those with a number of other conditions. In some areas this has already begun.
This action follows the issue being raised with THT by people living with HIV. It was then put to Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi MP, by Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth MP and Stephen Doughty MP, Chair of the APPG on HIV and AIDS.
Ian Green
Ian Green, chief executive of THT, said: “This is great news and the right decision from the NHS as it means people living with HIV will be able to take up the potentially life-saving Covid-19 vaccine at their earliest opportunity – even if they feel unable to share their HIV status with this doctor. We are working towards a society where everyone living with HIV feels comfortable sharing their status with their doctor and other health professionals, but we’re not there yet and we welcome this fast, pragmatic action.”
