Agenda item

The Chairman invited to the table:

·         Ms Bhavita Vishram, Public Health Strategist, LBB

·         Dr Janet Djomba, Consultant in Public Health, LBB

Ms Vishram introduced the report and explained that partnerships were essential to the delivery of an effective, equitable and quality assured immunisation service. Ms Vishram explained that the Action Plan had been developed together with a range of stakeholders. She said that learning had been taken from the Covid vaccination programmes and would be implemented into the Action Plan. She also said that there were a number of opportunities to promote vaccines in Barnet and the aim was to share best practice and to offer support where required. Ms Vishram highlighted the benefits of the collaborative work and the range of stakeholders involved, which was helping to reduce inequalities.

A Member commented on how the work was exciting and that tackling health inequalities was always a priority for Members. The Member also said that adults were often much more willing to accept vaccinations if they had been vaccinated in childhood, so education about the importance of vaccinations was crucial. The Member said it would be exciting to see the impact of the Action Plan in local communities.

A Member queried why children were being vaccinated for cervical cancer and genital warts at such a young age. Dr Djuretic explained that the programme of vaccination had started in 2008 and the vaccine had resulted in a measurable drop in cases. Dr Djuretic also explained that the vaccine was only effective before the young person becomes sexually active, which is why the age range is young.

The Chairman asked why London was seeing a decline in vaccinations and whether this was associated with increased misinformation. Ms Vishram explained it was difficult to accurately record the reasons as the populations were so transient. The Chairman also asked if all GPs currently have a designated immunisation lead to proactively identify all those with uncertain or incomplete MMR status. Ms Vishram said that an immunisation Task and Finish Group was collating this list which ideally each GP should have.

A Member questioned the dropping trend in 2021 and asked whether this had been because of the pandemic. Ms Vishram said that there had been a decline identified across all PCNs, but a strategy had been devised to collate this information and outline how GPs could be supported to improve this. She said that the PCNs that were struggling the most would be given support.

Dr Djuretic said there was a concern around a measles outbreak for all Directors of Public Health. This potential threat was being escalated to all services to try and improve the vaccination uptake, but there was limited capacity within the system. She said that across the country everyone was working hard to put more resources into catching up on vaccinations. The Infection Control Practioner (ICP) workstreams included inequalities and also prioritisation of childhood immunisations, with Officers hoping to see an effect within three to six months. Dr Djuretic said she would bring any information and update on the vaccine catch-up programme to the Committee and that any relevant updates from the Immunisation Forum would be shared.

RESOLVED that the Committee:

-       Supported the implementation of the Action Plan to increase childhood and school agreed immunisations in Barnet.

-       Noted the update on the developments of the Action Plan and ongoing engagement work.