Agenda item

To provide the committee with:

• An overview of the local arrangements, structures and responsibilities relating to immunisation programmes
• Detail regarding how the local area is performing against national standards for childhood immunisation
• An outline of the local 2020/2021 Flu Programme
• Flu immunisation uptake 2018/2019 and 2019/2020
• An overview of the impact of the Covid 19 Pandemic on Screening and Immunisation Programmes and Programme Recovery.

Ms Dianne Draper, Screening and Vaccine Lead for Lancashire and South Cumbria, presented the Screening and Immunisation Report 2020 to the Committee. The report provided an overview of local immunisation programmes, the impact of Covid-19 and the recovery programme.

Ms Draper informed Members that local immunisation programmes were delivered under Section 7a of the NHS Public Health Functions Agreement. Under this there were twenty-eight local programmes for screening and immunisation for a wide variety conditions covering birth to old age.

In terms of overall vaccine uptake Blackpool was close to the national average, however rates of booster uptake and those for the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine were lower. This was recognised as a national issue and ongoing work with GPs was being undertaken to improve the rates of uptake. Efforts to engage better included the production of easy to read literature, outlining the safety and benefits of vaccinations.

The Committee was also informed that the Seasonal Flu Campaign for 2020-2021 would be the largest that had been undertaken. This was because it had been expanded to include those vulnerable to Covid-19 as well as school aged children and the over fifties. It was also noted that take up for 2020-2021 was expected to be higher.

Ms Draper also provided details of the impact of Covid-19 on existing immunisation programmes. It was stated that take up had fallen at the start of March 2020 due to the national lockdown but had recovered. This was attributed to an effective communications strategy including the “NHS is Open” programme. Members noted however that some local programmes had been paused for all but high risk individuals during lockdown.

Members asked if there was a sufficient supply of the flu vaccine and what work was undertaken to combat the anti-vaccination messaging prevalent on social media. Ms Liz McGladdery, Screening and Immunisation Manager, NHS England, replied that it had been recognised that supply of flu vaccines had been insufficient in 2019, but that additional stocks had been purchased for GPs in 2020 and it was believed that these would be sufficient. Ms Draper added that a comprehensive communications plan was being developed to address anti-vaccination messaging on social media. Ms McGladdery also informed Members that evidence had shown that the use of NHS branding increased trust in the information and was therefore used in such communication.

The Committee noted that development for a vaccine for Covid-19 was near to completion and asked if once approved and rolled out a report could be brought to a future meeting detailing the plan for the programme and take-up. Ms Draper agreed that this could be provided and that Blackpool Council’s Public Health would be able to contribute.

Members also queried the resources available once a Covid-19 vaccination programme had been implemented. Ms Draper responded that a recruitment campaign had been started to find individuals to help deliver the programme. Ms Liz Petch, Consultant, Public Health, added that the Council’s Public Health team had been involved in identifying sites for vaccinations.

In response to a question, Ms Draper advised that details on vaccine trails being conducted globally were available online and that a link for Members could be provided. Members also asked if it was known which vaccine would be adopted for use in the UK. In reply Ms Draper stated that it was foreseen that a number of vaccines could be adopted, subject to regulatory approval.

The Committee thanked Ms Draper for the report and expressed appreciation for all those involved in delivering screening and immunisation programmes.