Agenda item

To receive a verbal update by Liz Morgan, Interim Executive Director for Public Health and Community Services and vaccination scheme update from Rachel Mitcheson, Director of Place and Integrated Services – Northumberland North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

Members received a verbal update from Liz Morgan and an update on the covid and flu vaccination programme from Richard Hay and Claire Lynch, NENC ICB Northumberland.

Liz Morgan raised the following key points:-

•        ONS data for the week ending 24 September 2022 showed that prevalence in England and Northern Ireland had risen from 1:65 to 1:50.

•        Prevalence was highest in the North East in primary age children, the over 35s and over 70s.

•        Although there were a few variants in circulation it was likely that the increases were due to waning immunity and behavioural factors such as spending more time indoors.

•        Australia had suffered its highest level of flu cases compared to recent and pre-pandemic years and the flu season had started earlier in May/June.

•        It was hoped to avoid concurrent peaks in both flu and Covid.

•        The important message was to encourage everyone to have a vaccination as it was the best way to reduce the risk of Covid.  If symptoms developed, then people should stay at home if they could.  ‘Hands Face Space’ remained an important message.

•        The Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust currently had 84 positive inpatients and two in ITU.  Most patients had been admitted with Covid rather than because of it.

•        1% of staff sickness was due to Covid which created logistical issues such as cancellation of operations and other pressures.  There was not the depth of statistics that had been available previously.

Richard Hay and Claire Lynch, NENC ICB, updated Members on the current vaccination programmes and raised the following key points:-

Covid and Flu Vaccination Programmes

Covid

•        The two vaccination programmes were running alongside each other but remained separate.

•        The Covid booster programme had begun in early September at 21 designated sites in Northumberland and was starting by prioritising the most vulnerable residents.  Eligible cohorts were

•        Residents and staff in care homes for older adults

•        Frontline health and social care workers

•        All adults aged 50 and over

•        Persons aged 5-49 in a clinical risk group or who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression

•        Persons aged 16-49 who were carers.

•        Vaccination sites comprised PCN centres, community pharmacies, the hospital hub, a roving vaccine unit, the school immunisation service, community nursing team and local pop up clinics.

•        Updated versions of the mRNA Covid vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna).  Half of the dose targeted the original virus strain and the other targeted the Omicron variant.  The booster was shown to trigger a strong immune response.  Novavax vaccine was available for those at clinical risk e.g. allergic reactions.

•        Bookings could be made either via the National Booking Service or locally through PCN sites and local pop up clinics.

•        PCNs would be offering local appointments to eligible cohorts in order.  However, more invitations had been sent out than there were currently appointments available.

•        Booster uptake was strong and it was important that public confidence and trust was maintained.  Vaccination was the best way to protect against serious illness.

•        The need for patience was stressed as there was sufficient vaccine for all.

Flu

•        Eligible cohorts were aligned with the Covid booster programme but including pregnant women, children aged 2-3 years, all primary school children and secondary school children in Years 7, 8 and 9.

•        All 36 of Northumberland GP surgeries had signed up to deliver the programme along with a number of community pharmacies and the school age immunisation service.

•        Uptake of the vaccine, so far, was good and slightly ahead of some cohorts in 2021.  Where supplies allowed there was coadministration of Covid and flu but patients were encouraged not to wait and to take each vaccine when offered.

•        Work was ongoing to improve uptake amongst pregnant women and 2-3 year olds.

•        There were a number of local and national campaigns aimed at maximising uptake.  A wide network of providers and partners were working together to maximise uptake along with the Northumberland Vaccine Collaborative and NENC Vaccination Board.  Reducing inequalities was a key priority

The following comments were made:-

•        It was suggested the national booking system be improved to show where sites were even if there were currently no available appointments.  More locally it would be possible to share a map showing all the sites and the various routes to obtain a vaccination.  It was important that messaging was clear to ensure that people did not give up.

•        The evergreen offer remained open to anyone who had missed an initial vaccination and/or boosters.

•        West PCN was operating out of Hexham Mart and good levels of uptake were reported.  There was also the potential for and outreach service reaching Bellingham and Haltwhistle.  Age UK operated transport to PCN sites.