Home Office Ignored Warnings On Diphtheria

Officials urged vaccinations for migrants before deadly outbreak

- Lizzie Dearden

The government failed to act on a warning that asylum seekers in reception centres should be vaccinated against diphtheria, weeks before a man held at Manston died, The Independent can reveal. Health officials in October warned that the illness was spreading but mass treatment did not start until last month. Labour's Yvette Cooper said that ministers should tell us what they were told and when.

Diphtheria fears ignored before Manston outbreak

The government failed to act on a warning that asylum seekers in reception centres should be vaccinated against diphtheria, weeks before a man held at the overrun Manston site died, The Independent can reveal.

A major refugee charity has called for an independent inquiry into the facility, as the home secretary was accused of "putting anti-asylum rhetoric above safety", while Labour criticised a "chaotic" response.

A risk assessment issued by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on 6 October said the illness was spreading among migrants and a "severe outcome" was possible for those living in crowded facilities.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) had issued a briefing note in September warning of an increase in diphtheria cases in Britain and Europe and reminding authorities working with migrants to ensure they were vaccinated.

But the mass use of antibiotics and vaccinations at Manston did not start until November. Previously, migrants were not having their diphtheria immunisation status checked until they were seen by a GP after being moved to hotels.

By that point, many had been detained in crowded tents at the former military base for weeks because of a shortage of Home Office accommodation.