Agenda item

COVID-19 VACCINATION

To receive and note a presentation on COVID-19 vaccination.

Minutes:

Jin Lim delivered a presentation to cover the Council’s draft COVID-19 vaccination strategy and drew the Board’s attention to Appendix 3 of Item 7, Southwark COVID-19 vaccination programme – communications and engagement strategy (1/2/21).

 

The tabled presentation included the following areas:

 

  i.  Five priority work streams

  ii.  Six key aims

  iii.  Factors affecting uptake

  iv.  Work stream 1 – Reducing inequalities of access

  v.  Work stream 2 – Community engagement and communications to address vaccine hesitancy

  vi.  Principles of community engagement for vaccine hesitancy

  vii.  Work stream 3 – Data and intelligence

  viii.  Work stream 4 – Vaccination programme delivery

  ix.  Work stream 5 – Training, staff development and guidance

 

In response to a question and answer session, the Board noted the following points:

 

·  The Council’s programme so far was very collaborative with South East London (SEL) CCG and SEL CCG had been working on their partnership and communications plans.

 

·  SEL CCG would be planning for the next cohort to receive their vaccination now that a diverse range of vaccination sites had been set-up from hospitals to the Excel Centre for priority groups 1 – 4. Accessibility and potential locations to establish ‘pop-up’ vaccination sites were key areas to explore in going forward.

 

·  Weekly meetings were being held with the Council’s comms. team and SEL CCG.

 

·  Southwark’s draft COVID-19 vaccination programme – communications and engagement strategy (1/2/21) contained three main themes:

 

  i.  Research and insight

  ii.  Opinion polling and research data

  iii.  Key concerns and myths

 

·  A borough-wide and staff event(s) were expected to be offered with an expert panel to help reach the residents, communities, faith leaders, faith groups and the staff to empower their knowledge about the vaccination programme; all as a means to build a level of trust and to help to address their concerns.

 

 

·  The accuracy of data and the intelligence behind it was very crucial in reaching those that were hesitant about accepting the vaccine. The quality of the data could be a deal breaker for many that were undecided.

 

·  It was important to strike the right balance when engaging with those that were yet to decide as it was the individual’s choice to have the vaccine or not and no one should feel pressured or rushed in making their decision. Therefore, it was important to deploy an evolutionary approach towards the delivery of the vaccination programme.

 

·  BAME demographic data was showing that those from an Indian origin were more likely to accept the vaccine than those from an African origin. Therefore, the cultural, faith perspectives and experiences within specific BAME groupings were variables to consider in the comms. and engagement strategy.

 

·  There were ‘open door’ events organised for the Adult Social Care (ASC) workforce. This included advertising Q&A sessions with the public health team. One was held on 3 February and there were two more scheduled for 8 and 11 February. Badges stating “I’VE HAD THE VACCINE ASK ME ABOUT IT” were available to help promote awareness and vaccine uptake. Along with establishing a new virtual background for MSTeams virtual meetings, champions and representatives from ASC.

 

·  In ASC services, there was a noticeable divide within the workforce from those that were willing to accept the vaccine and with those that were still undecided. This meant ASC services would continue with their efforts to help resolve the divide in the uptake of the vaccine.

 

·  There was a series of COVID-19 related articles available in the latest edition of Southwark Life magazine and one from the vice-chair, Dr Nancy Kuchemann. Consequently, everyone was encouraged to do what they could to help raise awareness about the vaccines available.

 

Southwark Life:

https://www.southwark.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/consultation-and-news/southwark-life

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the Health and Wellbeing Board note the presentation.

Supporting documents: