Alzheimer's Society responds to care home vaccination priority

Fiona Carragher, Director of Research and Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, said:

“The increasing number of coronavirus cases is deeply concerning, but the decision to stop meaningful care home visits once again will be devastating to so many. At least 70% of care home residents have dementia and contact with their loved ones means everything. It’s what they live for.

"Care homes have rightly been put top of the vaccination priority list – these must swiftly be rolled out to all care home residents, many of whom are still waiting for the day when they can finally properly see and hug their loved ones. The Government needs to publish the clear picture of numbers reaching care homes, starting with the first daily update on Monday.

"People with dementia, worst hit by the virus, have lost so much precious time with their loved ones and with their health deteriorating day by day, waiting until mid-February for a vaccine could be too late for many.”