Thread by @nestathomas2

1/ A 🧵- I support the #Forgotten500k who are being denied the lifesaving treatment #Evusheld. Please read my previous thread for more background @RobertJenrick @theresecoffey @Jeremy_Hunt @DHSCgovuk @evusheld4theuk @APPG_VGP

https://twitter.com/nestathomas2/status/1560610276470181888

2/ The immunocompromised continue to be denied access to this treatment despite compelling clinical evidence and supporting data, and extensive support from clinicians and patient support groups. There is fantastic advocacy for the use of #Evusheld from @drlennardlee

3/ @libdemdaisy recently raised this issue in Parliament (thank you) and one of the reasons @RobertJenrick gave for not procuring Evusheld for the immunocompromised is that it might give them a false sense of security and cause them to change their behaviours. Yes seriously!

4/ Let me paraphrase “we can’t let you have this potentially lifesaving drug because you might be tempted to throw caution to the wind so we think it would be better if you just all kept yourselves locked away and didn’t have any sort of meaningful life....

5/ ...."that way we don’t need to think about you, you can stay hidden away and you won’t be any bother to the NHS”. How patronising, condescending and utterly infuriating. Not to mention totally discriminatory

6/ The immunocompromised are probably amongst the most clinically aware of their own health limitations. Regardless of Covid they are used to being aware of risk and managing their lifestyle accordingly.

7/ Do @RobertJenrick and @theresecoffey seriously think that if they get #Evusheld they are going to run amok, seeking out high risk situations, hugging and kissing everyone in sight who they might bump into along the way??

8/ No of course they won’t, #Evusheld will simply allow them to balance the risks and re-join society in a meaningful way, allowing them to become economically more active and have a quality of life they have the right to expect. The same right as the broader population

9/ How would you like it @RobertJenrick and @theresecoffey if you were told you couldn’t have the vaccine to protect you from infection because you couldn’t be trusted to behave appropriately. I’m guessing you wouldn’t.

10/ It's time to stop discriminating against the immunocompromised and treating them like lesser beings than the rest of society. Make no mistake @RobertJenrick @theresecoffey this is exactly what you are doing and it's completely unacceptable. We see you

11/ The other stalling tactic that has been raised is the notion of a clinical trial. This is simply a smokescreen, a non-starter as a clinical trial in this situation would be highly unethical and difficult to achieve.

12/ Likewise asking @NICEComms to assess is another stalling red herring. Covid is constantly changing, Evusheld is effective now, it should be given now. As the vaccines have not been expected to provide 100% certainty neither should #Evusheld.

13/ Whilst, as with vaccines, there is not 100% certainty, there is an abundance of compelling real world data strongly supporting the effectiveness of #Evusheld. Morally and ethically that must be enough and further delay cannot be justified.

14/ Act now @RobertJenrick @theresecoffey @Jeremy_Hunt @DHSCgovuk. Allow the #forgotten500k to re-join society, you can save their lives in every possible way. END