Agenda item

To follow

The Chairman invited the following to the meeting:

·       Dr Janet Djomba, Public Health Consultant, London Borough of Barnet.

·       Dr Tamara Djuretic, Director of Public Health, London Borough of Barnet

·       Dr Clare Stephens, Clinical Representative, NCL CCG Governing Body

The Committee received the report and Dr Djomba presented her slides. 

Dr Djomba reported that the last presentation on measles and childhood inoculations to HOSC was a year ago and at that time the team had been preparing to implement the Action Plan when the pandemic began and disrupted this. 

Dr Djomba reported that GPs had fed back that some parents were anxious to bring their children for vaccination during the pandemic but many had not received sufficient information that the NHS vaccination programme should continue during this time. 

Dr Djomba continued that the vaccination programme had also been disrupted because most stakeholders were in ‘business continuity mode’ concentrating on the pandemic response. Barnet Council and the CCG had monitored this and provided support and information to GP Practices on how to continue with childhood immunisation safely, whilst maintaining infection control. GPs had also sent information and appointment reminders to parents. Barnet Council is returning to its routine business so is looking to improve the uptake in immunisation and had increased its communications to parents mainly via health visitors and early years settings, but also using social media.

Dr Djomba reported that there had also been delays in the registration of births during the pandemic but this this is being prioritised. 

Full data on immunisation uptake for Quarters 1 and 2 in 2020 is not yet publicly available but Quarter 1 showed a good uptake of the first dose at two years old of the MMR vaccine in Barnet at 83.5%. Dr Djomba reported that she had been informed that there had been no decrease in uptake for Quarter 2 due to the pandemic. London has an historically low uptake and Barnet’s is comparable to London’s, though better than its neighbouring Boroughs. However, the uptake is below the 95% that is needed for herd immunity. Dr Djomba continued that for the second dose of the MMR vaccine, uptake in Quarter 1 was 77.5% and Quarter 2 doesn’t show a significant decrease. Uptake of the ‘6 in 1’ vaccine which is given to babies at an earlier stage before 12 months was at 90% for Barnet, which is below the national average but better than across London and neighbouring Boroughs.

Dr Djomba reported that the uptake of the pre-school booster vaccine for children of five years of age was 75.8% in Quarter 1. This was lower than the uptake across NCL and something that the team will be focussing on. 

A Member enquired whether there was a reason for the significant dip in some vaccines in Quarter 1 of 2018/19 and whether this had been a data reporting issue. Dr Djomba responded that such strong deviations are usually related to data capture or reporting, although it could represent a lower uptake. However, she thought that it appeared to be a spike rather than a trend so was probably related to reporting.

A Member asked whether there is a common theme amongst parents who don’t take their children for immunisation. Dr Djomba responded that some information on this is included in the Action Plan. Historically this is linked to deprivation which a priority target and to children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). 

A Member enquired about whether there were still concerns around the effects of the MMR vaccine which had previously had an impact on uptake. Dr Djomba noted that this strongly rooted myth remains and the team continues to share information but unfortunately parents who are strongly against the vaccine appear unlikely to change their minds. The team works to target where it can have an impact especially with new parents. The team is also looking at the demographics and gathering more information on those against the vaccine. She added that many health-related beliefs had changed during the pandemic, so this may have a positive impact.

A Member enquired whether there are data on the health of those who have not been vaccinated. Dr Djomba responded that she could enquire with PHE. Dr Djuretic added that it is difficult to associate individual cases but that there are very few measles outbreaks in Barnet, whereas other Boroughs with lower uptake of the vaccine do have outbreaks. This was being investigated further.

Dr Stephens reported that University College London (UCL) is carrying out research which began this week, the Crown Coronation Trial, investigating the ‘helpful’ side effects that the MMR vaccination gives to people who contract Covid. Evidence has been found around the world that adults who received the MMR booster have experienced a less serious form of Covid. If the research shows that the MMR booster provides some support for fighting Covid infection, there may be an upturn in people wanting to have the MMR vaccination. Dr Stephens stated that the Trial is beginning with front line workers and agreed to provide a further update to HOSC in May 2021.

A Member enquired whether there is any indication that people who have previously had measles, mumps or rubella have additional protection against Covid. Dr Stephens responded that there is no evidence of this so far but the initial research is looking at whether those who have had the vaccination will have very much less severe symptoms that those who have not.

A Member asked whether children who had recently been vaccinated with MMR might be the source of the lower case numbers with children. Dr Stephens respond that this is also going to be included in the Trial.

The Chairman noted that a request had been made in the virtual meeting ‘chat’ for an update on birth registration. Dr Djomba responded that she could provide a short written update on this at the next meeting on 22 February 2021. Further information would also be available for a general update at the time of the meeting on 10 May 2021.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the written report, Action Plan and verbal updates.