The British Pest Control Association has written to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock to ask that pest professionals and other key workers are prioritised appropriately for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Ian Andrew, chief executive of BPCA, said: “Pest professionals continue to enter people’s homes and businesses to protect people from public health risks during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The government is rightfully prioritising the vaccine for care home residents, their carers, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions first. However, as the availability of vaccines increase, we’re calling for key workers, particularly those that must move between numerous homes and businesses, not to be forgotten.”
Currently, key workers are not included in the “phase one” rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Mr Andrew added: “We’re not asking for pest controllers to jump the queue entirely. We’ve written to Matt Hancock asking him not to forget about key workers that come into contact with lots of people and move between many sites.
“We’re merely asking the government to be pragmatic in how they prioritise people, taking into account their occupation, exposure to other people and the sensitive environments they operate in.
“Pest professionals and other key workers protect critical infrastructure. Without them being vaccinated promptly, the pressure on hospitals, care homes, schools, supermarkets and food factories can only increase.
“Common sense dictates that these people have the potential to come into contact with and spread the virus more than most, and therefore should be appropriately prioritised for inoculation.”