Former UK Vaccines Chief Highlights Government Discord During Covid-19 Pandemic
Dame Kate Bingham describes interdepartmental conflict and neglect of the immunocompromised in Covid strategy.
Dame Kate Bingham, who led the UK's Vaccine Taskforce (VTF) from May to December 2020, reported significant conflicts between governmental departments during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The VTF, under the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), played a crucial role in advocating for the development and procurement of vaccines.
Bingham revealed to the Covid-19 Inquiry that she encountered 'open warfare' between BEIS and the Department of Health.
This discord appeared while defining the taskforce's mandate, particularly around therapeutics and protective antibodies.
Bingham disclosed the inclusion of therapeutic and prophylactic antibodies, such as AstraZeneca's Evusheld, within the VTF's remit.
The aim was to protect all UK residents from Covid-19, including the immunocompromised.
Despite this intent, Bingham acknowledged concern over the lack of focus on prophylactic measures from late October 2020. While Evusheld was not purchased by the government, it was available privately, raising alarms among charities about the resulting impact on vulnerable groups.
Bingham stated that the government's prioritization strategy diverged from the initial goals set by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to protect the entire population.
She criticized the deprioritization of clinically vulnerable groups in favor of those eligible for vaccines.
Her dissatisfaction extended to the perceived lack of relevant expertise within BEIS and what she referred to as 'groupthink' in Whitehall.
Bingham expressed frustration with a governmental approach focused on policy formulation over tangible goal delivery, contrasting this with the private sector’s accountability standards.
The VTF, under the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), played a crucial role in advocating for the development and procurement of vaccines.
Bingham revealed to the Covid-19 Inquiry that she encountered 'open warfare' between BEIS and the Department of Health.
This discord appeared while defining the taskforce's mandate, particularly around therapeutics and protective antibodies.
Bingham disclosed the inclusion of therapeutic and prophylactic antibodies, such as AstraZeneca's Evusheld, within the VTF's remit.
The aim was to protect all UK residents from Covid-19, including the immunocompromised.
Despite this intent, Bingham acknowledged concern over the lack of focus on prophylactic measures from late October 2020. While Evusheld was not purchased by the government, it was available privately, raising alarms among charities about the resulting impact on vulnerable groups.
Bingham stated that the government's prioritization strategy diverged from the initial goals set by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to protect the entire population.
She criticized the deprioritization of clinically vulnerable groups in favor of those eligible for vaccines.
Her dissatisfaction extended to the perceived lack of relevant expertise within BEIS and what she referred to as 'groupthink' in Whitehall.
Bingham expressed frustration with a governmental approach focused on policy formulation over tangible goal delivery, contrasting this with the private sector’s accountability standards.
