There has been a mixed reaction to the question of whether taxi drivers should be moved up the coronavirus vaccination priority list.
It comes after data released by the Office for National Statistics showed that Covid-19 related deaths among people in caring, leisure and service occupations were three times higher than the national average.
A number of taxi drivers have taken to social media to air their views with one suggesting drivers are being overlooked.
Steve Ward said: “What are people’s views on local taxi drivers getting priority for the Covid injection?
“As a group of frontline workers we are transferring hundreds of people to and from Covid test centres and Covid injection sites around the area.
“We seem to have been overlooked. Should we have protection or not?”
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We asked ECHO readers their thoughts via Facebook and more than 700 people replied to our question ‘Should taxi drivers be moved up the priority list for the coronavirus vaccine?’
Many readers shared their opinion with a mixed response on who should be next in line for the jab.
Michael Molyneux commented: “I think they should be added to a priority group but not in front of people with underlying conditions.”
Michele Cooney Ashbrooke said: “I think anyone that deals with the general public should be offered the vaccine.”
John McGivern stated: “Yes as we have close contact with the public everyday."
Marilyn Parick added: “Yes - my son is a taxi driver, he wears his mask and still caught Covid. He also takes nurses and carers to work.”
Pete West commented: “No, nursery staff/child minders should be priority over taxi drivers.”
Betty Tollerton added: “What about vets and vet nurses who are never mentioned who have worked throughout the pandemic looking after our furry friends. People don't realise how stressed these people are.”
A spokeswoman for Liverpool City Council, who are responsible for licensing authority for the Liverpool area, said: “We are currently following the guidance given by the national Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.”
A spokesperson for the JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization) said: “Covid-19 vaccine prioritisation was developed with the aim of preventing as many deaths as possible. As the single greatest risk of death from COVID-19 is older age, prioritisation is primarily based on age.
“It is estimated that vaccinating everyone in the priority groups would prevent 99% of deaths, including those associated with occupational exposure to infection.
“The JCVI is meeting regularly to consider all available evidence for phase 2 of the priority group recommendations, this will be published in due course.”
