Oxford Vaccine Group should be honoured with Freedom of the City of Oxford

Says former Lord Mayor and Green Councillor Craig Simmons, "The Oxford Vaccine Group and partners AstraZeneca have done an incredible job. They have not only developed a vaccine in record time but produced one which is cheaper, easier to distribute and are making it available globally on a not-for-profit basis. In doing so, they have embodied our values as an innovative and caring City and taken that message out to the world.  We should be honouring them with the highest accolade our City can confer; Freedom of the City of Oxford. Of course, they are not the only team within Oxford that has delivered during the pandemic and continues to do so. Frontline workers from the Council, NHS, those in charities that have worked so hard during the pandemic and the many volunteers who have freely and generously given their times also deserve our sincerest thanks. I hope that, as a Council, we can - at the appropriate time - find a way to also honour and thank all those who will have played their part."