I'm clinically vulnerable and work in an environment where I'm frequently exposed to COVID-positive individuals. Despite my high-risk status, I am no longer eligible for a COVID vaccine under the current guidelines. What's more, UK workplaces such as medical facilities, schools and office environments offer minimal prevention measures, leaving me—and countless others—unnecessarily exposed to this virus. If I catch COVID, not only could it lead to severe acute symptoms, but it might also exacerbate my existing health conditions, placing an additional burden on an already stretched NHS. I, like many others, could potentially cost the healthcare system significant resources to treat both immediate and long-term health repercussions.

At the end of the spring vaccination campaign, over 4 million COVID vaccines are estimated to have gone unclaimed. These vaccines, paid for by taxpayers, are now sitting idle and risk being wasted. We propose a straightforward solution: make these surplus vaccines available to anyone who wishes to receive them on a first-come, first-served basis. This approach would not only prevent wastage of a taxpayer-funded resource but also ensure those who remain at risk have the chance to protect themselves.

The reality is, there are numerous individuals, particularly those in high-exposure or high-risk roles, who desperately want to avail themselves of the protection a vaccine offers but fall outside the current eligibility criteria. These are people who could avoid significant personal risk and reduce potential strain on our healthcare system by accessing these vaccines.

With no viable reasons not to facilitate this accessibility, given the availability of the vaccines and the minimal logistical efforts required to administer them, making surplus vaccines available is a practical and necessary step. It is an approach that ensures the health and safety of individuals, the responsible use of public resources, and the alleviation of risk on public health services.

Please sign this petition to urge the UK Government to allow anyone who wants a COVID vaccine to have access to these leftover vaccines before they expire. Everyone deserves the chance to protect their health and reduce their risk—let's ensure they have that opportunity.