Agenda item

To receive the Berkshire West Covid Vaccination Autumn Plan Sept - Dec 2022.

Jo Reeves, Newbury Locality Manager, BOB ICB, provided an update on the Berkshire West Covid Vaccination Autumn Plan Sept-Dec 2022.

During the discussion of this item, the following points were made:

·       The Plan had been adopted by the Berkshire West Vaccine Action Group.  The Plan had also been shared with the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

·       There were two strands to the Covid vaccination programme this autumn; maintaining an evergreen offer of primary vaccinations, and delivering the autumn booster to the identified cohorts.

·       The Autumn booster programme had commenced on 5 September and had initially focused on the most vulnerable cohorts.  However, this had now been extended, and all those eligible had been called forwards. 

·       Vaccinations were available at the Broad Street Mall in Reading, community pharmacies, the PCNs, and at Shute End.  Access was via the national booking system on the NHS website or by calling NHS 111, or having received a direct invitation from the GPs. 

·       PCNs were also visiting house bound patients and care home residents.  The end of October was the target date for all care home residents to be vaccinated.  This target was on track.

·       The NHS had been sending letters and text messages to invite people to book their appointment, and a national communication campaign would be launched shortly to encourage people to top up their immunity for winter by taking up their flu jab and where appropriate their covid booster.  Where possible the PCN’s were co-administering the Covid and flu vaccines.

·       The primary vaccination was available at the Broad Street Mall mass vaccination centre.  Bringing it more locally to Wokingham was a key part of the inequalities approach.  The Health on the Move service would be used again.

·       Councillor Margetts welcomed the commitment to maintaining a Wokingham vaccination centre as Broad Street Mall in Reading was not convenient for all residents. 

·       Councillor Margetts commented that health care workers were able to be vaccinated at work but that social care workers had to book using the national system.  He questioned why this was and queried whether this had an impact on uptake.  Jo Reeves agreed to look into the matter. She indicated that staff were often dispersed amongst various providers, but the situation could be difficult where they were concentrated and trying to book around their shifts.  Sarah Webster added that she had recently raised this issue of equitable access with the Chief Nursing Officer.

·       Matt Pope questioned whether the target relating to care home residents being vaccinated only referred to residents in older person’s care homes or if those living in learning disability care homes were also included.  Jo Reeves believed that it related to any care home.

·       With regards to vaccinations for 12–17-year-olds, Councillor Bray questioned whether there was likely to be a more local provision than Broad Street Mall in Reading.  Jo Reeves responded that the new booster was coming online which was suitable for those 12 years old and above.  It was likely that vulnerable 12-17 years olds would have more options as to where they travelled for their booster vaccination.

RESOLVED:  That the Berkshire West Covid Vaccination Autumn Plan Sept-Dec 2022, be noted.