Agenda item

This report provides an update on the uptake and coverage of seasonal influenza vaccinations during the winter of 2016/17.

Councillor Vaughan welcomed Vanessa Andreae and Lucy Rumbellow to present the report on Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Uptake, covering the headline points.  Improvement was demonstrable across all areas, except for the over 65₊ but there was a slight uplift, as these also included pharmacy figures.

Jim Grealy referred to page 23-24 of the Agenda pack, paragraph 2.2 on healthcare workers and Table 2, respectively, which demonstrated disappointingly low uptake by Imperial Trust staff.  It was noted that the decision to have flu vaccination was a matter for each individual.  It was offered to all employees, who had the right to exercise patient choice.

Councillor Carlebach asked why known, vulnerable patients were not offered the vaccine, whether nurses based in maternity hospitals could ensure uptake and similarly, improve uptake in schools by ensuring clear information to pupils.  Lucy Rumbellow explained that there may be contra-indicators for a patient receiving treatment in hospital which would compromise their safety.  There was also no facility for sharing records of vaccination therefore difficult to maintain an accurate record to avoid duplication.  It was noted that if there was a mass outbreak, then vulnerable people would be the most affected.  Vanessa Andreae suggested that the Quality Steering Group included guidance in their correspondence to GPs and concurred that it would be helpful if vulnerable groups such as those receiving chemotherapy treatment or were pregnant benefit from having the vaccine.  The benefits to those immuno-compromised patients were briefly discussed, noting the difficulty in attending a GP surgery.  The alternative was to go the local pharmacy but the immune system might be so supressed that they would more vulnerable.

It was agreed that the Committee would write to NHSE to formally address why the vaccination was not being made more widely available to vulnerable patient groups. 

ACTION: PAC

It was noted that the provision of the vaccine to children in primary schools would commence in October 2017, covering reception to Year 4.  Children aged 2-3 years would receive the vaccine in GP surgeries.  The issue regarding religious objections to the content of the vaccine (porcine element) had largely been addressed from within the relevant communities, who opt to refuse the injection.  It was acknowledged that further work could have been conducted with faith groups last year and that more extensive work would be undertaken this year.

Councillor Umeh commented that many people were sometimes put off by the number of complex questions that were asked by the pharmacy in trying to obtain the vaccine and enquired about other available alternatives. Vanessa Andreae explained that it was necessary for the pharmacist to ask detailed questions to ensure that the person was clinically safe to receive the injection.  Over 4000 vaccinations were administered by local pharmacies last year.  These were “live” vaccines and need to be administered safely.  The benefit of going to the pharmacist meant that the vaccine could be obtained “opportunistically” and at the same time, helped alleviate pressure on GP surgeries.  In response to a query from Councillor Morton, it was clarified that the vaccination of specific cohorts, for example, primary school children, ensured protection for vulnerable groups.

Referring to the way in which information about vaccination uptake was communicated, Jim Grealy referred to page 29 of the Agenda pack, highlighting the lack of information about shingles vaccinations, which should be offered to particular age groups.  Vanessa Andreae explained that individuals eligible from shingles vaccinations should be receiving text messages from their GP surgeries, ensuring that they are covered. 

Councillor Vaughan observed that uptake figures were improving and enquired about the shift in focus to the over 65+ group. Vanessa Andreae explained that part of the difficulty was that eligible (without charge) individuals, did not perceive the need to get vaccinated and were difficult to vaccinate and that professional, working individuals who did not qualify for a free vaccination, were made to pay at pharmacies.  They still maintained, however, a focus on children who were the main vectors or carriers.

Councillor Brown asked about what provisions were being put in place for those health colleagues and officers working with vulnerable residents.  Mike Robinson responded that there was a programme of vaccination available to frontline staff. 

In summarising the main points of the discussion, Councillor Vaughan commended the improved figures for uptake, comparing figures from 2015/16 to 2016/17, recognising the efforts made by NHSE, the CCG and Public Health colleagues, welcoming a new benchmarking target improvement figure of 40% for the vaccination of the target groups of children.  It was noted that the committee would write formally to Imperial College NHS Trust, enquiring about poor uptake of the vaccine by their workforce.  

ACTION: Chair / PAC

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.