Agenda item

UPDATE ON THE FLU IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME (CCG)

Minutes:

Report ACH20-057

 

The Board considered a report outlining the actions that borough teams and central SEL CCG teams would be undertaking to ensure the maximum impact of their usual flu campaign; progress of work and achievement of this year’s stretch targets; and some additional actions that would help to improve take up of the flu vaccine.

 

Due to the risk of flu and COVID-19 viruses co-circulating this winter, the flu immunisation programme would be essential to protecting vulnerable people and supporting the resilience of the health and care system. Providers would be focusing on achieving maximum uptake of the flu vaccine in existing eligible groups, as they were most at risk from flu, or in the case of children, transmission to other members of the community. The Associate Director – Discharge Commissioning, Urgent Care and Transfer of Care Bureau informed Board Members that the programme would be extended nationally this year to include household contacts of those on the NHS Shielded Patient List; children of school Year 7; and health and social care workers employed through Direct Payment and/or Personal Health Budgets.

 

The aim would also be to further extend the vaccine programme in November and December 2020 to include the 50-64 year old age group, subject to vaccine supply. The extension of the programme, and heightened awareness of the risks of infection with both COVID-19 and flu, was likely to lead to higher demand, so further planning and preparation was necessary to ensure sufficient vaccination capacity was in place to deliver the programme. Provision of flu vaccination clinics and appointments would be affected by PHE social distancing and infection control guidance, so providers would need to consider alternative delivery models that protected staff and patients. Equitable uptake of the flu vaccine needed to be ensured, so providers would be required to have robust plans in place for tackling health inequalities for all underserved groups to ensure equality of access.

 

The Associate Director – Discharge Commissioning, Urgent Care and Transfer of Care Bureau informed Board Members that over the last few years, Bromley had the highest uptake of the flu immunisation. Immunisations would be offered across the workforce. Traditionally, the immunisation programme had been offered through clinics, however due to the current situation and the number of people working from home, this would be difficult. At a South East London level, the suggested approach currently being finalised was that anyone working for a public service could request a letter containing a Personal Identification Code, which would allow them to get the flu immunisation at their local pharmacy.

 

Different models were also being considered as to how best to offer mass vaccination clinics. It was noted that there was a particular challenge this year due to COVID-19. There was a need to have clear guidance around infection control and how patients could access their flu immunisation, as drop-in sessions could not be offered. COVID-19 may also result in there being increased interest regarding the flu immunisation, and it was hoped that the public would be even more inclined to take up the offer this year.

 

The Chairman noted that the flu immunisation programme was the current priority, particularly due to the added pressure on services and misdiagnosis which could lead to services being overloaded further. The message to residents was for them to “play their part” and get their flu immunisation as soon as possible.

 

A Board Member enquired if there would be enough supply for everyone on the extended list to receive a flu immunisation. The Chairman noted that the supply of vaccines would be tight this year, particularly as a number of the supply platforms had been diverted to focus on COVID-19, and highlighted that the timeframe of the programme was very much condensed this year.

 

In response to a question, the Chairman advised that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) had recommended the nasal immunisation for young children as they were considered to be ‘super spreaders’. Evidence suggested that children of school Year 7 also fell into that bracket, and they had therefore been added to the extend list of groups to receive the flu immunisation. A Board Member highlighted that a number of residents may not be aware that the eligibility had been extended and enquired as to how they would be made aware. The Associate Director – Discharge Commissioning, Urgent Care and Transfer of Care Bureau advised that as well as a national campaign, a South East London campaign would be delivered in Bromley and GP practices would also be contacting eligible patients directly.

 

A Board Member asked if information was available as to which wards within the borough had previously had the lowest take up of the flu immunisation offer, and if residents in these areas would be targeted. The Associate Director – Discharge Commissioning, Urgent Care and Transfer of Care Bureau confirmed that this information was known, and the primary care teams were working with the GP practices and networks in these areas to ensure that the take up of the flu immunisation was increased this year. Following a request from the Chairman, it was agreed that this information could be provided to all ward Councillors.

 

The Vice-Chairman highlighted that on page 29 of the agenda pack, one of the objectives to support all SEL boroughs was the ‘de-prioritisation of certain commissioned primary care services being considered to free up capacity in primary care to focus on the flu season’, and asked what services this referred to. The Associate Director – Discharge Commissioning, Urgent Care and Transfer of Care Bureau advised that she did not know the specific details and would refer this back to the Borough Based Director – SEL CCG to provide a response. The GP Clinical Lead – SEL CCG noted that a certain amount of prioritisation had been given throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As GP practices would be heavily involved in the flu vaccinations for the over 50’s, it was likely that this would take priority over other things that were less time critical.

 

RESOLVED that the update on the flu immunisation programme be noted.

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