Agenda item

5.1

The Director of Public health submitted a report to update the Board on the health protection system. Ruth Granger, Consultant in Public Health, presented the report. Key issues in the report included:

5.2

• Uptake of routine immunisations particularly routine childhood immunisations

• Managing respiratory diseases for autumn winter 2022/23 winter season

• Reviewing the Sheffield Mass Treatment and Vaccination Plan

• The cost of living crisis increasing risk of spread of food borne disease

• Learning from Covid and the Covid 19 Public Inquiry.

5.3

Ruth Granger updated the Board in relation to communications and activity with schools concerning Strep A and in relation to childhood immunisations.

Members of the Board discussed the effectiveness of vaccination programmes including support for GP practices because in some areas, such as those with high levels of deprivation, it was difficult for them to meet targets for vaccination. Following the last Board meeting, the Chairperson had written to NHS England highlighting concerns about the funding system for vaccination contributing to inequalities.

5.4

There was a role for partners who had contact with young people to help increase the uptake of vaccinations. There were also lessons from the Covid19 vaccination programme which could be applied. There was hard work being done to understand community needs and reasons why people did or didn’t engage with vaccination programmes and broaden the type of locations where vaccinations were delivered. In terms of addressing inequalities and vaccination, it was important to gain understanding to know which interventions worked and where local solutions may be required.

5.5

The Health & Wellbeing Board agreed the following:

• To note the key health protection issues including the impact of winter pressures and cost of living.
• To support increased uptake of immunisation
• To ensure their organisation is engaged with review of the Mass Treatment and Vaccination plan and work to embed this into partner organisations. 
• To continue to support cross system learning from Covid-19 including contributing to and learning from the UK Public Inquiry.