PIF members are backing a campaign 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.
Many are still shielding, still in isolation, still unable to work, see friends or hug loved ones.
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 the Evusheld treatment.
Currently the UK is at odds with more than 32 other countries who have approved the drug and are already months into their rollout scheme.
Evusheld would give 'significant protection'
Gemma Peters, chief executive for Blood Cancer UK, said: “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.”
#Forgotten500k supporters
The new campaign, which launched on Monday, allows the #Forgotten500k to be seen and heard.
The goal is to change the Government’s decision.
As well as patient group Evusheld for the UK, the campaign is being supported by PIF members Blood Cancer UK, Lupus UK, Leukaemia Care and Anthony Nolan.
Other organisations backing the campaign are: Immunodeficiency UK, Kidney Care UK, Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, Myaware, Follicular Lymphoma Foundation, the Kidney National Federation, CLL Ireland, WM UK, Vasculitis UK, Leukaemia UK, Kidney Research UK and CLL Support.