What's happened
Boots and partner pharmacies are offering private Covid vaccinations for almost £100 a shot, raising concerns over cost and inequality. Experts warn that the high cost of these jabs could exacerbate health inequalities, leaving those more at risk from the virus without a vital line of defence.
Why it matters
The availability of private Covid boosters at a high cost raises concerns about exacerbating health inequalities and leaving vulnerable populations without access to essential protection. The issue highlights the potential financial barriers to healthcare and the ethical considerations surrounding access to vital vaccinations.
What the papers say
The Guardian reports that experts and patient groups have warned about the high cost of private Covid vaccinations, raising concerns about exacerbating health inequalities. The Independent highlights that Boots is set to offer private Covid vaccinations for almost £100, potentially widening disparities in access to essential healthcare.
How we got here
Boots and partner pharmacies have begun offering private Covid vaccinations to individuals not eligible for free NHS vaccinations. The high cost of these private jabs has sparked concerns about widening health inequalities and leaving vulnerable populations without access to crucial protection against the virus.
Common question
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The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.
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A boot, plural boots, is a type of specific footwear. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle, while some also cover some part of the lower calf. Some boots extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip.
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Pfizer Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in New York City. It is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.
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The National Health Service is the publicly funded healthcare system in England, and one of the four National Health Service systems in the United Kingdom.