The current surge in Covid-19 cases among armed forces “threatens national security” and shows the Government is failing to protect troops, says vice chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus.
Ministry of Defence figures show the number of positive cases of the virus among the military increased by 1,474 in the two weeks to July 23 – the highest number in any two-week period in 2021.
The total number of positive Covid tests recorded in the armed forces during the pandemic has now risen to 11,890, out of around 280,000 personnel.
The APPG is calling on the Government to take urgent action to boost vaccine uptake among troops and protect them from the virus, warning that the increase in cases poses a threat to national security.
It cited official figures which suggest there was no record of around a quarter of armed forces personnel – 54,742 – having received a coronavirus vaccination as of July 5.
However, the Government has claimed 79 per cent of all serving armed forces personnel have now received a vaccination.
Labour MP Clive Lewis, vice chairman of the APPG, said: “These shocking figures show the Government is failing to protect our armed forces, who have played such an important role on the front line of this pandemic.
“Neglecting them and allowing Covid to ravage through their ranks threatens not only the fight against the virus, but also our national security.
“Ministers must urgently set out a plan to boost vaccine uptake in the armed forces and prevent cases from rising further.”
A MOD spokesperson said: “79 per cent of all serving personnel have received a vaccination and we have already vaccinated 74 per cent of 18 to 29-year- olds since June 18. The latter is ahead of UK national vaccine statistics.
“All personnel serving overseas have been offered a vaccine and there are no concerns regarding take-up as only 0.5 per cent of Armed Forces personnel have declined a vaccine.”
