Agenda item

Report of the Director of Public Health (attached).

The Director of Public Health gave a presentation on the current Covid response in North Somerset providing the latest information on patterns of infection; a summary of key areas of the public health response; and a review of impact on local health and care services. 

Members commented and raised queries on the presentation (officer responses shown in italics) as follows: 

(1)       Was there more we could do around enabling on-site testing for those at the workplace? – The department of Health and Social Care had overall responsibility for workplace testing. Whilst this was possible, there were challenges due to the need for certain conditions to be met and training provided. It was important to get the balance right between convenience and confidence in the test.

(2)       The high percentage of vaccination of over 75 years age groups was noted but was there any data for those refusing vaccination? Was refusal more prevalent in lower age groups or with different cultural groupings and did this have implications for employment opportunity?  - In analysis of take-up, the CCG was not detecting trends suggesting concerted resistance but had found correlations with areas in North Somerset which tended to have higher levels of social deprivation. Although scepticism was an issue of concern, the main focus was on promoting equality of access.

(3)       Given this recognition of the need to make access to the vaccine more inclusive, would it not therefore make sense to bring vaccination centres closer to those communities (Weston town centre, for example)?  The CCG was looking at a variety of sites but there were constraints, for example around the need for specific storage conditions associated with the Pfizer vaccine. It was expected that there would be more flexibility as new vaccines came online.

(4)       There was a need to reinforce the message that there were voluntary groups that could help with transport (to vaccine centres).  North Somerset had a strong network and good liaison was needed to ensure the reach of that message.   

(5)       Information and data about the effectiveness of access to vaccinations and, for example, the differences between communications from general practices were useful in identifying best practice and challenge and thereby providing assurance for communities – The Area Director (BNSSG CCG) reported that there had been requests nationally for closer management of this messaging to ensure greater coherence.  He acknowledged that there was a need to get the messaging balance right, but it was also important to recognise and build on the assurance around the high level of vaccination take-up across the district.

(6)       Reflecting on younger age groups yet to be included in the vaccination programme, were there contingencies in place to address corresponding outbreak risks?  The Director of Public Health reported that contingency planning was in hand, learning particularly from recent experience around surge testing in Bristol and South. Gloucestershire. He also welcomed the offer of support from the Council’s youth champions (Councillors Ciaran Cronnelly and Huw James) and agreed to follow this up with the Chairman of HOSP.  

(7)       The Director of Adult Social Services updated the Board on the latest data for Adult Social Care staff vaccine take-up: 71% of domiciliary care staff, 87% of residential care staff and 87% of care home residents.  There had been a coordinated effort with providers to address some reluctance in domiciliary care staff but it had become apparent that there were anxieties about the vaccine amongst some younger women who want to start a family. 

(8)       The Director of Children’s Services reported receiving a high level of concern from early years providers about not having access to vaccination.  Representations were being made at national level around the wider education workforce, particularly when linked to the hoped-for return to school on 8^th March - The Regional Director (BNSSG CCG) acknowledged the considerable contribution of early years staff, noting that the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI) set the framework for national policy and were continuing to weigh up emerging evidence for how to balance priorities of different groups.

In concluding the debate, the Chairman welcomed the constructive debate and paid tribute to all partners for their impressive performance on delivering the vaccination programme and health protection work.

Resolved: that the presentation and report be noted and that the Board’s comments be forwarded to officers in the form of the minutes