17 Oct 2022 Policy

New campaign launches for the forgotten 500,000 families

Patient groups, charities and clinicians unite to raise awareness of half a million vulnerable people, many of whose lives have never returned to normal after the Covid-19 lockdown.

A new campaign launches today in the UK to raise awareness of the #Forgotten500k and their families, many of whom are still living restricted lives at huge risk from Covid-19. Around 500,000 immunocompromised people across the United Kingdom are at higher risk from the virus because their weakened immune systems make them less likely to respond well to vaccines. Many are still shielding, still in isolation, still unable to work, see friends or hug loved ones. Yet their pleas go unheard.

Patient groups, charities and clinicians are urging the Prime Minister and Health Secretary to reverse a decision made under their predecessors to deny vulnerable patients access to an important treatment: Evusheld.

The rollout of Evusheld is urgently needed this winter to help protect the immunosuppressed from Covid-19 as we see rates rise again. This drug would allow this group to return to a higher standard of life. Currently the UK is at odds with over 32 other countries who have approved the drug and who are already months into their rollout scheme. Yet still the UK Government won’t make it available on the NHS this winter.

The #Forgotten500k launches with a new national advertising campaign today, kicking off a series of events and activities which includes a special podcast from Crisis What Crisis?, a Tortoise Media ‘Think In’ and a silent vigil in Parliament Square. Family and friends of the forgotten 500,000 will stand in Parliament Square holding photos of their loved ones who are unable to be there in person because of the risk of illness.

The campaign allows the #Forgotten500k to be seen, to build connections and to be heard through their personal stories. The goal is to change the Government’s decision. As well as patient group Evusheld for the UK, the campaign is being supported by: Blood Cancer UK; Lupus UK; Immunodeficiency UK; Leukaemia Care; Kidney Care UK; Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis; Myaware; Follicular Lymphoma Foundation; the Kidney National Federation; CLL Ireland; WM UK; Vasculitis UK; Anthony Nolan; Leukaemia UK; Kidney Research UK; and CLL Support.

Fiona Hazell, Chief Executive of Leukaemia UK, said:

“There are around 500,000 immunocompromised people across the United Kingdom whose lives are still hugely impacted by Covid-19. These #Forgotten500K, many of whom are cancer patients, must have their needs listened to and this includes access to effective treatments like Evusheld that might protect them from Covid-19.

Alongside access to Evusheld, other measures to protect those who are vulnerable are vital. This includes financial support, especially for those who are unable to go to work, and access to vaccines to make sure they are given the best possible protection.”

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive for Blood Cancer UK, commented: “Over one in 100 people with blood cancer have died of Covid, and many thousands more are continuing to experience the mental health burden of trying to avoid it. There is good reason to believe Evusheld would give significant protection to our community, and so the Government’s refusal to make it available is missing the chance to do something that would both help keep them safe and get back to their normal lives. In doing this, the Government is insisting on a level of certainty for Evusheld that goes far beyond the level of certainty it needed before it bought the original vaccines in 2020, and is letting down immunocompromised people.”

Find out more about the #Forgotten500k campaign

Related posts

Prestigious jointly-funded fellowship could be catalyst for myeloma prevention

21 June 2023

Prestigious jointly-funded fellowship could be catalyst for myeloma prevention

Dr Louise Ainley, University College London, has been awarded a Clinical Research Training Fellowship – jointly funded with the Medical Research Council. The three-year project is set to investigate which…

Sharing this exciting news: a treatment advance for childhood leukaemia

9 May 2018

Sharing this exciting news: a treatment advance for childhood leukaemia

A deal has been struck to let the NHS offer children an expensive new cancer therapy that has been called the most exciting treatment advance for decades

Cancer charities unite in encouraging the Government to address crucial issues as part of their “War on Cancer”

4 July 2022

Cancer charities unite in encouraging the Government to address crucial issues as part of their “War on Cancer”

In collaboration with our partners and as part of the One Cancer Voice group, Cancer 52 and Blood Cancer Alliance, we have called on the Government to take account of a wide range of recommendations as they finalise the 10-Year Cancer Plan to be announced later this year.

John Goldman Fellowship awarded to Dr Pramila Krishnamurthy

29 November 2021

John Goldman Fellowship awarded to Dr Pramila Krishnamurthy

Leukaemia UK is proud to announce Dr Pramila Krishnamurthy of King’s College Hospital and King’s College London as a Leukaemia UK John Goldman Fellow co-funded by Rosetrees Trust. Dr Krishnamurthy will be using the fellowship to better understand why some leukaemia patients relapse following a stem cell transplant, and how donor lymphocyte infusion can help prevent this.