Agenda item

(To follow)

Consultant in Public Health, LBB

The Chairman invited the following to the table:

•           Dr Janet Djomba, Consultant in Public Health, London Borough of Barnet

•           Bhavita Vishram, Public Health Strategist, London Borough of Barnet

Dr Djomba presented her report and slides. She reported that the pandemic had taken its toll on childhood immunisation and Public Health England (PHE) had begun to analyse this. The report contained data from April 2020 to early 2021 which showed a decrease in the uptake of immunisations during the period of Covid-19 restrictions. Fewer children than usual had completed the full course of the 6 in 1 vaccine and all of the MMR vaccine during this time nationally, and also in Barnet.

Dr Djomba reported that the children aged two years who had completed their vaccination programme had increased by 2% and for those aged five years the increase was 2.2%. This was in line with national figures. Within parts of Barnet, these figures were significantly lower as detailed on the slides. Burnt Oak, Colindale and areas of Hendon showed patterns of lower uptake in both the two-year-olds’ and five-year-olds’ vaccination programmes. The difference in uptake between Primary Care Networks (PCNs) is aligned with overall vaccine hesitancy for both Covid-19 and ‘flu.

Dr Djomba reported that lower vaccine uptake goes along with poorer health in general, probably because it indicates a tendency towards poorer health-related behaviours, including getting vaccinated. She mentioned that Barnet needs to concentrate on the western corridor of the Borough and areas of deprivation. It may be that some residents don’t have the opportunity to access information about vaccination so this needs to be addressed. Dr Djomba noted that the strong connections between the Local Authority, PCNs and CCG colleagues, built during the pandemic, are a really good starting point.

Dr Djomba reported a continued delay in birth registrations, with an ongoing backlog. The Registry Office and the Childhood Commissioner have stated that there are alternative pathways in place that prevent new-borns from being missed. GPs and

health visitors get data on new-borns from hospital maternity units and this process had not been disrupted by the pandemic. Dr Djomba noted that birth registration is still important, however, there is a possibility that welfare benefits will become linked to birth registration. The Registry Office is also starting to proactively encourage registration and information is being sought from hospitals. Parents are also instructed to contact their hospital if a child is born outside of a hospital, so that health visitors can provide support.

Dr Djomba reported that an updated action plan would follow when more data is available. She added that she is working closely with a range of partners from within the Council, in particular with early years providers, commissioners, the CCG and CLCH, who are all taking part in the Action Plan. A working group has also been established to look at the information which is available so far. The Action Plan would be updated by the summer of 2021 and Dr Djomba would provide an update to the HOSC following the Immunisation Forum.

The Chairman asked for clarity that on page 5 of the report, third line down, ‘living there’ should in fact be ‘living elsewhere’. Dr Djomba agreed with the Chairman that this needed to be corrected.

A Member noted that they would be interested to hear of the Team’s strategies for increasing vaccination in a future report. This might include attending Children’s Centres for example and it would be helpful to find out in future how helpful the strategies had been.

The Member also asked whether the reduction in the take-up of the measles vaccine was sufficient to be of concern. They noted that it was known from Covid-19 work that the western corridor of Barnet interplays with more negative health indicators. Dr Djomba responded that the national MMR target is not met anywhere nationally. Barnet is higher than other Boroughs in NCL but, across London, Barnet remains on the lower end of uptake. She confirmed that nationally the target for herd immunity is not being met and that this is a cause for concern, but there had been no cases of measles in Barnet for a very long time.

The Member commented that they were pleased to hear of the safeguarding mechanism and wondered whether there might be other uses for the data, such as forward planning for nursery schools. Dr Djomba reported that the Registry Office is working to catch up. She would confirm with Children’s Services how far this data was being used.

Action: Dr Djomba

A Member wondered if it would be would helpful to have a map of where the PCNs are located in the Borough. Dr Djomba offered to forward the slides and a map of the PCNs to the Committee.

A Member asked whether there is a legal requirement to register a birth. Dr Djomba responded that there is, including babies born at home.

The Chairman enquired about the reminder sent to all parents in September 2020 to register births, asking whether more details could be provided. Dr Djomba noted that the data given was complete up to the end of May, so further data would follow.

The Chairman asked for a further update in the near future and would add this to the

Forward Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the written and verbal report.