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Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced at the G7 Summit that the UK will work to provide COVID-19 vaccines to COP26 Delegates who would be unable to get them otherwise. Working closely with the UN and other partners, we are now asking all those individuals looking to take up this vaccine offer to identify themselves through the COP registration process.
For COP26 to be a success, representatives from around the world need to be sitting around the same table in Glasgow this November. The safest way to make this happen is for as many representatives as possible to be fully vaccinated.
The UK, the UNFCCC and partners will work to provide vaccines to Party, observer and media representatives who are registered for the COP and are unable to get them otherwise. We are exploring with the UN and partners how we can work together to deliver this offer as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Participants will still be required to fully comply with and adhere to covid regulations as mandated by the host country.
What is the vaccine offer?
The UK has announced the offer of vaccination to COP 26 UNFCCC registered Party, observer and media representatives as part of a wider package of measures we will have in place to be able to host a safe COP26 with in-person participation.
It is recognized that there are different circumstances in different countries and we would strongly encourage those who wish to take up this offer to register their interest through the UNFCCC registration portal as soon as possible and no later than 23 July.
How do I get access to the vaccine offer?
Those who wish to take up this offer should register their interest through the UNFCCC registration portal as soon as possible and no later than 23 July. The registration acknowledgment letter emailed to each confirmed participant will include a link to a web page where the participant can indicate interest in being vaccinated through this offer.
We are working with the UN to prepare the logistics, aiming to ensure the vaccines can be delivered to all interested participants in their home countries. Details of the logistics and appointments will be emailed to those participants as soon as possible.
Once I have registered for the vaccine offer, when will I hear further about my vaccination appointment?
We are working with the UN to prepare the logistics for this vaccine offer. Given their complexity, it may take a short period of time before they are confirmed and we are able to contact you with appointment options and further details. In the meantime we thank you for your patience and will endeavour to keep you updated on progress using the email address provided.
How long do I have to register my interest for the vaccine offer?
We’re asking registered participants to notify us of their interest in taking up this offer through the UNFCCC registration portal by 23 July. We strongly encourage all those who would like to take up the vaccine offer to register their interest as soon as possible.
Which vaccines will you be offering?
We’re exploring with the UN and partners to understand which WHO-approved vaccines will be supplied.
Do I get a choice of vaccine?
There will not be a choice of which WHO-approved vaccine you receive.
Do I need to have two doses before travelling to the COP?
If two doses are required for you to be fully vaccinated, then you will be given both doses before COP26. Not all WHO-approved vaccines, however, require two doses.
Will having a vaccine be a requirement for attendance?
It is strongly recommended that those who wish to attend are vaccinated, but vaccination is not mandatory.
We will ensure the approach respects diversity and inclusion but also safeguards the health and safety of all attendees and the local population.
Does the vaccination offer include observers and media?
This offer is open to Party, observer and media representatives who are registered for the COP and cannot access COVID-19 vaccines through other means.
Should representatives wait for their COP vaccination rather than take up their own in-country offer?
Registered COP participants are strongly encouraged to take up any offer of vaccination they can receive in their country. This offer is for registered COP participants from countries where COVID-19 vaccines are less readily available.
Who is paying for it – is the offer free?
The UK government, as COP26 host, is exploring with the UN and partners how we can work together to deliver this offer.
Will you also be offering vaccines before the July Ministerial meeting in London?
No, owing to the relatively small number of delegates, we are planning to introduce measures to ensure these discussions are safe without the need for vaccination in advance. However, delegates will still be expected to take steps to ensure the safety of the local population.
Will funding be available to travel for a vaccination?
We are working with the UN to prepare the logistics for this vaccine offer, aiming to deliver it in the home country of each participant.
How will this affect youth representatives due to attend COP26?
Vaccination of those under the age of 18 is not currently recommended by the World Health Organization or the UK health authorities.
We are continuing to work hard to amplify the voices of young people in the lead-up to and at COP26. Our contingency planning will continue to look at the most appropriate options for engagement to ensure we stay committed to an inclusive COP26.
How will this affect the participation of others, for example invited speakers, special guests, etc.?
While strongly encouraged, vaccination is not mandatory for the COP and we are working hard to ensure a package of COVID-related safety measures to ensure the COP is safe for all attendees. We know that giving a platform to the voices of many stakeholders is important to an inclusive COP and will continue to work on making this possible.
What happens if I only find out I am going to the COP after 23 July? Can I still get a vaccine?
While we are aware that sometimes last-minute changes or additions to delegations are made, the logistics of a global vaccine offer are such that it is unlikely to be available to people who have not registered by the 23 July deadline. We will, of course, do our utmost to support those who were unable to meet the deadline.
Observers would like to have a separate deadline for confirming their delegation members who will not require a vaccine offered through the UK. Is this possible?
The 23 July deadline is only for those who would like to be vaccinated through the UK programme; this date cannot be changed. Confirmation of observer participants for people who do not require to be vaccinated through the UK vaccine offer will be set separately by the UN and communicated in its notification to admitted observer organizations.
Observers would like to consider replacing vaccinated colleagues with non-vaccinated ones. Is this possible?
It is strongly recommended that those who wish to attend are vaccinated, but vaccination is not mandatory.
We will ensure any approach respects diversity and inclusion but also safeguards the health and safety of all attendees and the local population.
Some participants do not feel secure being vaccinated in UN premises or UK embassies. Is there anywhere else they can go?
UN Department of Operational Support (UN DOS) is leading on the distribution and administration of the vaccine around the world. In most cases, the vaccinations will take place at established UN offices. Any individual logistical challenges will need to be resolved on a country-by-country basis.
Could you confirm the eligibility requirements?
This offer is for those registered COP26 participants from countries where vaccines are less readily available. Any registered participant who is unable to access a vaccine through other means is eligible to register through the UK programme.
Funding for participation cannot be confirmed by 23 July for many. Will a second round of single-jab vaccinations be offered?
The logistics of a global vaccine offer are such that it is unlikely to be available to people who have not registered by the 23 July deadline. We will, of course, do our utmost to support those who were unable to meet the deadline.
Are you capping the numbers at the COP?
As with all COPs, the total number of people who can be on site at any one time is limited by the safety regulations. As per previous practice, no caps are anticipated for national delegations, and a quota system applies to admitted observer organizations.
Would those in countries where vaccines are not available need to travel to a neighbouring country that can administer the in-country vaccination? If so, who bears the travel cost?
We are working with the UN to prepare the logistics for this vaccine offer aiming to deliver it in the home country of each participant. No vaccination-related travel funding is anticipated.
Can the vaccination be combined with the visa application (if the nearest UK embassy is in the same country)?
No. These are two separate exercises. The UK does not plan to offer vaccinations at its embassies.
If I am vaccinated and I test positive for COVID-19, will I be expected to self-isolate?
Yes. We would expect everyone who tests positive for COVID to self-isolate for 10 days irrespective of their vaccination status.
How would the UK handle the moral question of queue jumping?
Tackling the climate emergency cannot wait and requires representatives from the whole globe sitting around the same table in Glasgow this November.
We are not seeking to run a COP26 vaccination programme. Rather, we want to make sure that registered COP26 participants from around the world who will not be able to access a vaccine before the COP will have the option to get one.
It is important that different levels of vaccine supplies around the world do not impede attendance at the COP.
The UK has announced that we are sharing 100 million vaccines with the world by the end of this year. This is in addition to the funding the UK has already given to the COVAX programme and our work to ensure the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is distributed at no cost to the world.