To receive an update on the coronavirus, polio and flu vaccination programmes.
Minutes:
Dr Maimaris updated the Board on Polio and stated that the Polio virus had been found in sewage in London, with Harringay being one of the boroughs impacted. There had not been any clinical cases of polio as yet in London. It was unusual to see the polio virus in sewage and was from the vaccine derived polio given in other parts of the world, not in the UK. It was transmissible and there had been a clinical case of polio in New York polio had also been found in sewage in Israel. There was some concern around making sure Jewish communities who were highly mobile between those different locations were protected. As a result of this, the Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisations (JCVI) had recommended that all children be up to date with their immunisations.
This was being done through primary care. Vaccinations were also being done in Hornsey Central. The risk remained low to the population.
The COVID-19 and flu vaccination programs would be important in the coming winter season. Australia also had an early flu season and there was quite a significant flu impact in Australia.
The emphasis on COVID-19 vaccines was for over 65s and other risk groups and the offer was being made through general practice, pharmacy and various locations in the borough.
The emphasis for flu vaccines was also for over 65s and other vulnerable groups. Pharmacists had already started stocking the flu vaccination and the GPS would begin inviting people to take it. There was also a school-based program for flu, which went from primary through to secondary. This was to prevent transmission in the community.
It was important to keep on promoting these vaccinations for all different parts of the community. It was important to understand the pressures that this was putting on the primary care workforce and to support the primary care workforce in delivery. It was also important that the hospital trusts and other employers including health and social care staff had a good uptake of flu vaccination.
The Board heard that:
· The JCVI were not recommending an additional COVID-19 vaccination for children and young people during the winter period, but access to it was still available.
· A lot of work was being done on providing wrap around support for people from Ukraine and other refugees with a focus on catch up on routine vaccinations.
· It was the nurses and practices who already administered polio vaccines who were doing it together with the school vaccinators who were offering some additional clinics.
· Additional polio clinics was being funded at a small scale by the ICB and a small amount of funding has been made available for support.
· There had been an outbreak of monkeypox across the world. It was a particular concern and particular risk groups included gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. It was important to work with that community to ensure that they were protected. An emphasis had been placed on vaccination and there had been an improvement in the number of recorded cases. A further update would be brought at a future meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the update be noted.