PM says he wants police, carers and teachers vaccinated ‘as soon as possible’

The Prime Minister also told MPs he is “the living embodiment of the risks of obesity” as he emphasised the importance of staying “healthy” during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative MP Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) asked: “Does the Prime Minister agree that once we’ve vaccinated the most vulnerable, the elderly and our wonderful health and social care workers, we should then look at prioritising vaccinating police officers, emergency service workers, carers, teachers, nursery staff and all those whose essential daily work brings them into contact with other people?”

Mr Johnson replied: “We must rely on what the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) has to say, the priorities that the experts have decided, but of course we want to see those groups that he mentions vaccinated as soon as possible.

“I am very pleased that in spite of all the difficulties, we gave 1.5 million people their first dose – up half-a-million on the week before.”

Conservative Andrew Lewer (Northampton South) also asked about potential changes to food advertising.

He said: “For many years (Mr Johnson) wrote humorous articles that nevertheless made serious points about individual freedom and the dangers of over-regulation.

“The Department of Health and Social Care is currently consulting on how to increase regulations on food advertising significantly. Can (Mr Johnson) reassure me that any implementation of this consultation will be in line with his, and my, long-held principles?”

Mr Johnson replied: “Indeed, and I remain a champion of liberty in all its aspects, but I am also the living embodiment of the risks of obesity.

“There was no question that it is a comorbidity factor in the pandemic.

“I think that is something that the people of this country understand and they understand that it is all of our individual responsibility to do what we can to get healthy, to stay healthy – because that is one of the ways we can all help protect our NHS.”

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