A DORSET MP has called for the military to be used in the distribution of coronavirus vaccines in what is being described as the biggest logistical challenge since the Second World War.

Subject to approval from independent regulators, Covid-19 vaccinations could start before the end of the year with a wider programme ramping up towards Easter.

Members of the military have been supporting at test centres in recent months, including the mass community testing regime that has been taking place in Liverpool.

North Dorset MP Simon Hoare said the authorities would “miss a trick if we don’t deploy at scale and at pace, military expertise and personnel to logistically plan and roll out this vaccine”.

Mr Hoare said the NHS will play the key and pivotal role in delivering vaccines but armed forces should not be overlooked.

“The vaccine roll out is likely to coincide with a busy time for the health service in any event and we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact whenever there is an international disaster or humanitarian crisis overseas, you usually find countries breathe an enormous sigh of relief when the British military arrive just because of their professionalism, expertise and ability,” he said.

“We should be deploying that. It would also give, because of their reputation, a huge amount of calm within the people.”

Mr Hoare said the effort to deliver the vaccine across the country could be viewed as a similar national effort to D-Day, with “all hands to the pump”.

He added: “If there is going to be huge demand for this, I think people would respond incredibly well to being asked to do things by our military because they are seen as very dispassionate, very professional, quietly getting on with the job in an efficient way and their involvement means there really will be no need to panic.”

Bournemouth East MP and former defence minister Tobias Ellwood said a challenging situation such as the delivery of the vaccinations was “exactly what the military is for”.

“We often see them as connected with defence and overseas engagement but they are our reserve, they are our insurance policy to assisting in times of urgency and this is exactly one of those occasions,” said Mr Ellwood, who chairs the defence select committee.

“If they can help assist civilian authorities in the roll out of this vaccine, which is huge, this is the biggest logistical challenge since the war, then it is absolute right that they play their role.”

On Monday, prime minister Boris Johnson suggested the NHS, Public Health England, local authorities and military would all be involved in the vaccine roll out.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The NHS has vast experience delivering widespread vaccination programmes and an enormous amount of planning has taken place to ensure our health service stands ready to roll out a Covid-19 vaccine.

“This includes putting in place logistical expertise, transport, PPE and an expanded workforce to ensure we can deploy vaccines rapidly once they have met robust standards on safety and effectiveness and been approved by the medicines regulator.

“We have also provided GP practices with an additional £150million to support them over the coming months. We will publish further details on our deployment plans in due course.”