Agenda item

Dr Tamara Djuretic

Director of Public Health, LBB

The Chairman invited to the table:

• Dr Emma Waters, Public Health Consultant, LB Barnet

Dr Waters introduced her report. She noted that there is concern that Barnet’s uptake of childhood immunisations was low compared to the national average but it is similar to the London average and also North Central London. This applied generally across all childhood vaccinations.

The Public Health Team had requested detailed demographic data from Public Health England (PHE) but they unfortunately do not provide a detailed breakdown. The Team had created their own data by looking at updates from GP Surgeries. It was known that parental opinions affected uptake but the data showed that GP Practices also had an impact. The Team had also begun a survey on uptake in schools.

A Flu and Immunisation Group had been set up and would create an action plan to improve the rate of childhood vaccinations in Barnet and to raise awareness of the issue. If groups at risk could be identified, then GP Practices could be made aware of those groups.

A Member asked whether there was any data on how many children had had measles, in light of the MMR issue, and whether there was still concern amongst the public about a link with autism. Dr Waters responded that there had been many measles cases in the spring of 2019. The Director of Public Health had co-signed a letter to inform schools about the issue and had also written an article in Barnet First. The Public Health Team was liaising with the Communications Team on improving awareness. This included the use of social media and emphasising that there was no proven link between the MMR vaccine and autism and also reminding people of the dangers of contracting measles. There had been 30 cases reported in Barnet but fortunately no fatalities. Babies under 12 months of age were particularly susceptible to infection, due to their weak immune system, and vaccination was only recommended after 12 months of age. 

Dr Waters noted that Barnet had increased its resources for immunisation, although responsibility for it sits with NHSE.

A Member asked for feedback when a plan is in place.

A Member noted that the report mentioned that there are a significant number of children in poverty in Barnet and whether it would be useful to conduct some research on whether poorer families were less likely to engage. Dr Waters responded that without demographic data it was difficult to compare uptake. She said it was known that certain groups were at risk: those who were transient or with housing difficulties, larger families and children of teenage parents. The aim was to tackle this by making sure that GPs had good processes in place and that school vaccination worked well.

Dr Djuretic noted that evidence from elsewhere suggested low immunisation uptake amongst larger families as it was more difficult for them to get to GP surgeries. Therefore, some immunisation programmes have been run at Children’s Centres and other venues. It was reassuring that Barnet had had fewer cases of measles than the London average. On reviewing GP Practices, it had been found that many of them did not appear to be uploading their vaccination data correctly, so levels of vaccination may be higher than the data showed. Public Health was working with the CCG to improve the accuracy of data.

A Member enquired how the Committee would know when these measures were in place. Dr Waters noted that PHE collects the data and Looked After Children were recorded separately. An upward trend in uptake of vaccinations should mean both data processing and vaccination rates had improved. The Public Health Team receives quarterly data from all GP Practices, but this is not publicly available.

A Member noted that Children’s Centres and 0-19 Hubs should be a good point of contact to help capture some of those not vaccinated. Dr Waters responded that PHE would be carrying out routine training for this and the local Public Health Team would coordinate this.

A Member suggested focusing on families with young children in temporary accommodation as well as Children’s Centres and finding out whether there was a high number not vaccinated. The Chairman suggested also working with Healthwatch to try to get more evidence.

The Chairman would invite Dr Waters to report back to Theos at its meeting on 9 July 2020.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the report.