Agenda item

COVID-19 COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE

To receive a verbal update on communications in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minutes:

Rachel Lissauer, CCG Director of Integration, explained that Covid-19 vaccinations were now happening at a range of sites in hospitals and in the community and that all options were being used for vaccine delivery. It was noted that approximately 7,500 vaccines had been administered by GPs, mainly for those over 75 and over 80, alongside some frontline health and care staff. It was highlighted that vaccinations had been taken to all older people’s care homes and all residential care settings, including mental health and learning disability settings. It was added that, where anyone had been unable to receive a vaccination, sites were being re-visited and all residents and staff were due to be fully vaccinated by the end of January where possible.

 

It was highlighted that the delivery of the vaccination programme was intended to be as equitable as possible. It was known, both nationally and locally, that there were some risks of differential uptake of vaccines and significant work was underway to overcome any barriers for people accessing vaccinations. For those who were struggling to physically access vaccination sites, there were transportation arrangements with community volunteers and there was a protocol for the delivery of the vaccine to care homes and to those who were housebound. For those who faced language or communication barriers, GPs were experienced in communicating in a variety of languages and communications in multiple languages had been distributed to the community. It was acknowledged that some GPs had different numbers of people on the priority list who required vaccinations and, where availability might be an issue, GPs were checking with patients who they had been unable to contact initially; practices with the lowest response rates were being targeted. In addition, it was known that some communities were more cautious of vaccinations and targeted work was taking place with a variety of local leaders to provide effective messaging. It was added that the local NHS was working with Community Protect (Bridge Renewal Trust, Healthwatch, and Mind) and the Council to ensure a joint approach and to encourage maximum uptake of the vaccination from the whole community.

 

Melissa Cuffy, Senior Communications Officer, noted that she was managing Covid-19 vaccination communications. Currently, the communications strategy was to promote NHS messaging as only those in the priority groups were able to access the vaccine; however, as more people would be able to access the vaccine, there would be more communications. The communications objectives were to build awareness of the vaccination programme, to encourage priority groups to take up the vaccine, to build trust in the programme, and to support NHS colleagues in delivering their messaging. It was explained that there was a vaccine toolkit which would be provided to community leaders; the toolkit provided information and FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) answers to local leaders so that they could speak knowledgeably and encourage uptake. It was noted that there would also be a vaccination animation which showed the ‘life’ of a vaccination from start to finish; this was aimed to share information which was accurate and more engaging. There would also be a leaflet about vaccination included in the Haringey People magazine which would reach people who did not use social media; this would be available in 10 languages and there would be an email address for people to request information in any other languages.

 

Eleri Salter, Commercial Manager, provided some information about the Council’s digital advertising campaign. It was explained that, in the first national lockdown, the Council had used targeted advertising which used anonymised digital data to feature key messages for specific audiences. It was highlighted that this was compliant with data protection rules and would be used again. It was noted that targeted advertising was effective in getting messages to the right people and it allowed information to be provided in other languages where necessary.

 

The Chair thanked the CCG and Council for providing a useful and comprehensive update on communications.

 

RESOLVED

 

To note the update.