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Covid Inquiry Module 4

Previously, the Chair of the Covid Inquiry announced that the Inquiry would be split into modules, with each module investigating a different area of the pandemic, from the Government’s preparedness to their response. 

Module 4 will examine Vaccines and Therapeutics. You can read more about the Scope of Module 4 below. The first preliminary hearing was heard on 13th September 2023 and a second preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8th February 2024.  It is expected that hearings for this Module will take place over 4 weeks in the Summer of 2024, ahead of the larger Module 3.  

You can watch the hearings live, subject to a three-minute delay, via YouTube by clicking here. To see all of the public information about the Inquiry, please visit their website here. 

Nicola Brook has also re-started the Covid Inquiry Podcast, discussing what has happened on a weekly basis in court. You can also listen to all previous and recent installments on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Module 4 scope

Baroness Hallett has said that Module 3 "will consider and make recommendations on a range of issues relating to the development of Covid-19 vaccines and the implementation of the vaccine rollout programme in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Issues relating to the treatment of Covid-19 through both existing and new medications will be examined in parallel. There will be a focus on lessons learned and preparedness for the next pandemic."

Baroness Hallett has outlined a provisional scope for this module, and will examine:

  1. The development, procurement, manufacture and approval of vaccines during the pandemic, including the effectiveness of UK-wide decision-making, in particular, the role of the UK Vaccine Taskforce.
  2. The development, trials and use of new therapeutics during the pandemic, in addition to the use of existing medications.
  3. Vaccine delivery in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including roll-out procedures such as: arrangements on the ground and public messaging.
  4. Barriers to vaccine uptake, including vaccine confidence and access issues and the effectiveness, timeliness and adequacy of Government planning for and response to inequalities relevant to vaccine uptake.
  5. Vaccine safety issues including post marketing surveillance, such as the Yellow Card monitoring and reporting system and a suggested correlation between Covid-19 vaccines and cardiovascular issues.
  6. Whether any reforms to the UK Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme are necessary.

You can read the full provision scope document here.

Core Participant Status for Module 4

The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group have been awarded Core Participant status in Module 4 of the Covid Inquiry, with Broudie Jackson Canter instructed as their Recognised Legal Representative. 

If you are bereaved and aren’t involved in the Inquiry but wish to be, we encourage you to join the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group to make sure you have a voice in this Inquiry.

Join the group