LONDON (UK) – Migrants living in Britain will qualify to get COVID-19 vaccines irrespective of whether they have the legal right to live and work in the country, the government said on Monday. It added that getting the shot would not prompt immigration checks.
The Daily Mail newspaper has reported that those living in Britain who made an illegal entry to the country would be encouraged to register with their local doctor so they could get their shot when their turn arrives.
Asked about that report, which described the policy as an “amnesty”, a government spokeswoman said: “Coronavirus vaccines will be offered to everyone living in the UK free of charge, regardless of immigration status.
“Those registered with a GP (General Practitioner) are being contacted at the earliest opportunity and we are working closely with partners and external organisations to contact those who are not registered with a GP to ensure they are also offered the vaccine.”
The government said patients undergoing inoculations, treatment or testing for the coronavirus would not have to go through status checks.
Britain has already provided first vaccine shots to more than 12 million people. The vaccination programme has been functioning ahead of its European peers, in part due, as Britain was the first to give approval to shots from Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
Britain’s vaccination strategy has not made any formal prioritisation of migrants, however, it is instead focusing on reaching the eldest and most vulnerable first.
However, some European countries have made them a priority of inoculating refugees, because of the potent risk that new arrivals being housed in asylum centres could spread infection.