Janet Street-Porter divides opinion by arguing that it’s pensioners’ ‘human right’ to get the Covid-19 vaccine first after frontline workers – and claims the unemployed should be next so that they’re safe to look for work
- First trial results of Oxford’s jab reveal it’s safe and provokes an immune reaction
- Loose Women host believes those over 70 should be the first in line for vaccine
- Believes it should be followed by recently unemployed in wake of the pandemic
Janet Street-Porter has argued that the elderly and unemployed should be among the first to receive the coronavirus vaccine, after frontline workers.
The Loose Women panellist, 71, told on today’s show it’s the ‘human right’ of those over 70 to receive the injection first because they are more susceptible to Covid-19, and have more ‘trouble shaking it off’ if they do become infected.
She went on to say unemployed people should be next to receive the jab, because many will have lost their jobs in wake of the pandemic and will be forced to leave their homes and ‘work really hard’ to try and find employment again.
This comes after Oxford University revealed a coronavirus vaccine could be available by Christmas, after a trial of more than 1,000 volunteers showed a strong immune response in everyone who had the jab.
Janet Street-Porter (pictured) told on today’s Loose Women that the elderly and unemployed should be among the first to receive the coronavirus vaccine, after frontline workers
She said: ‘I think anyone over 70 shouldn’t feel they are jumping the queue, because I think it’s their human right to get the vaccine next.
‘Because they are more likely to get the disease in the first place and if they get the virus they will have more trouble shaking it off.
‘I’m really lucky and I haven’t had the virus, I think it goes without saying. But if they want to put the pensioners in order, you could stagger it according to age groups.
‘Seeing as the government already give out vaccines for flu, it makes sense they should have them.’
Viewers agreed that vulnerable groups should be among the first to receive the vaccine and took to Twitter to share their views
She went on: ‘After that, I would like to see the unemployed get the vaccine next. In the next few weeks, factories and business all over this country are going to lay off thousands of people people.
‘They will have to go out to job centres and leave their home and work really hard try and get employment, and we owe it to them to keep them protected from the virus.’
Viewers agreed that vulnerable groups should be among the first to receive the vaccine, with one writing: ‘High risk groups should get the vaccine first.’
Coleen Nolan, 55, (top right) admitted that she’s ‘scared’ of the injection and is happy to be ‘at the back of the queue’
Another said: ‘I agree with every Janet has said regarding masks and vaccine. Go Janet. Let’s do this and save each other!’
A third wrote: ‘Older people and those with underlying conditions should get the vaccine next.’
Fellow host Kéllé Bryan, 45, argued that those shielding should be among the first to receive the vaccine, while Coleen Nolan admitted that she’s ‘scared’ of the injection and is happy to be ‘at the back of the queue’.
Kelle said: ‘People shielding should get the vaccine, for us people who are shielding [we] should be right up there and seen as a priority to get the vaccine.
Fellow host Kéllé Bryan (left), 45, argued that those shielding should be among the first to receive the vaccine
She added: ‘I hope people who are shielding are a priority, because if we don’t get it, it’ll cost the NHS a lot more than if they just vaccinated us from day one.’
Coleen, 55, responded: ‘I think it’s so exciting in one way, that they’ve worked so hard it could be available by Christmas. But for me, slightly worried because it’s a new virus. I’m happy to be back of the cue, I’m scared.’
Janet snapped back: ‘That is such a short sighted attitude, by the time it goes out it will have been tested on thousands and thousands of people…Vaccines are vital.’