Rupert Murdoch and the jab - what ?!?

It's not available privately, Sparkling

I wouldn't have thought you could jump the queue and pay privately for the vaccine. It is fairer that everyone regardless of status is vaccinated, as it benefits all of us, rich or poor. I would expect as a human being it is there for all.

I have no time for Murdoch but if he currently lives in the UK, why should he not be vaccinated?

Riverwalk

If he is currently in the UK then he's entitled to the vaccine - after all this is a pandemic!

Should we let him catch the virus and take up an ITU bed?

For the same reason, people who have HIV are entitled to free treatment for their condition in the UK, irrespective of legal status, because the consequences of someone not being treated and spreading the virus outweigh any costs.

I was given a tetanus jab in Australia (free) so that probably cancels out Rupert's COVID jab.

Thanks Rupert

everyone can receive emergency treatment in the uk, status irrelevant. other further treatments are payable by overseas people and there are staff who pursue this.
for several years on attending hosp appts we have to declare that we have been resident in uk for last 2 years. i guess there are further questions if not.
most asylum applicants are given a special form that entitles them to all nhs services while their application is being decided.
if the nhs has called murdoch for the vaccine, then he is fully entitled to it. the more the better, asap.

It's as relevant as linking Murdoch being un "entitled" to the Covid vaccine because he's an illegal immigrant is LisaGran!

Apropos of nothing, he’s married to Jerry Hall, who’s about 25 years younger. I know, I know, that’s irrelevant......

Ps If you are really concerned, biba, the UK has a reciprocal arrangement with Australia for emergency treatment.

I think this could be regarded as an emergency.

Yes it is.

Anyway, he is Australian.
Practically British

It is not 'prejudice' about his nationality- but about the fact hs papers have demonised immigrants for such a long time, again and again. Those immigrants who work hard, contribute, pay their tax

Ah, that's a whole different kettle of fish and nothing at all to do with Rupert Murdoch being ASKED BY THE NHS if he would agree to have the vaccine, to demonstrate to elderly people that it was a simple and safe thing to have. If it's actually his tax status that aggrieves you, then the title of your OP is misleading.

1.6 million are aged 85+

if he is legally resident in the UK, he should be paying tax on his massive fortune, don't you think?

Can you imagine what his taxes would have done for the NHS since 1988. It has nothing about him being a non UK citizen- but about him not paying taxes nor contributing to the NHS.

It is not 'prejudice' about his nationality- but about the fact hs papers have demonised immigrants for such a long time, again and again. Those immigrants who work hard, contribute, pay their taxes.

Pleased he's had the vaccine and spoken about it.

Who are you to say who is more deserving biba? Murdoch was asked if he would have the vaccine, as an older person, to promote how safe and easy it is. He did not volunteer. He was ASKED.

So far, you have made some pretty sweeping statements on this rather silly thread. You've said:

not if he is a USA resident- aka an illegal immigrant. He cannot be treated under the NHS unless he is a legal resident and tax payer.
Incorrect. American citizens are not, by default, "illegal immigrants". He can be treated by the NHS if he is eligible. And he clearly is.

Is he, or is he not- 'ordinarily resident and tax payer' in the UK? If not, NO he is NOT entitled to NHS vaccines
He is currently a resident of the UK. And he is entitled to NHS vaccines. Particularly when he is asked to have it.

we have such a limited number of jabs for 85 and over - 10s of 1000s will not be getting them
That's just not true! There are enough vaccines for everyone. No one will be prevented from having one. Even the "illegal immigrants" that seem to worry you so much.

God knows, I have no admiration whatsoever for Murdoch, but this thread seems to be more about your prejudice about a non Britsh citizen getting a vaccine and frankly, that's more distasteful than Murdoch and his dodgy tax history.

No fan of Murdoch but very much a fan of our country that doesn’t discriminate. He qualifies, so be it.
Good to see high profile names having the vaccine, hopefully it’ll encourage the doubters.

The 102 year old said he would rather that younger people had the vaccination before him.

I have 3 friends locally who are 80 + and both have had their first vaccination.

It may be location-dependent. I know a 93 year old and a 102 year old who have not yet heard, both in England.

Chewbacca

But everyone is eligible to have the vaccine because it's in everyone's interest that they do. Surely everyone can understand that can't they? Or is the real problem the fact that Murdoch is, according to the OP, a USA resident- aka an illegal immigrant? I hope not.

Of course.

That is obvious to you and to me!

And if someone who is nearly 90 and high profile has the vaccine and encourages others to have it, then excellent!

MawBe

^we have such a limited number of jabs for 85 and over - 10s of 1000s will not be getting them^

Do you have evidence for this statement?

Evidence? Or just your opinion?

I have 3 friends locally who are 80 + and both have had their first vaccination. .

biba70

How many over 85s have we got- and how many have had the jab so far?

Mini Trump said 350000 tonight.

How many over 85s have we got- and how many have had the jab so far?

There are plenty of immigrants, illegal or not - who would be more 'deserving' recipients. Perhaps some of them do not pay taxes, because they have nothing.

Murdoch is a multi billionaire who choses not to pay tax, and had done since 1988 - so in my eyes- he should not benefit from the NHS and certainly not be a priority for the first batch.

But everyone is eligible to have the vaccine because it's in everyone's interest that they do. Surely everyone can understand that can't they? Or is the real problem the fact that Murdoch is, according to the OP, a USA resident- aka an illegal immigrant? I hope not.

I agree, I think I would be the last person to defend Rupert Murdoch as an individual, IMO he ranks along with Philip Green and the late but not lamented Robert Maxwell.
However, I agree with Callistemon - if a person is eligible, they are eligible.