A verbal update will
be provided by Caroline Trevithick, Chief Nurse and Executive Director of
Nursing, Quality and Performance, West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning
Group.
Minutes:
The Committee received an oral update from Caroline Trevithick, Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Performance, West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group regarding the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR).
Arising from the presentation the following points were noted:
(i) The vaccination programme began in LLR on Saturday 12 December 2020 using Leicester General Hospital as the hospital hub. Prior to Leicester General Hospital being chosen as the hub consideration had been give to whether Leicester Racecourse was the best venue as there was a need for the venue to be suitable for both NHS staff and the general public to visit. Although the Racecourse was was not currently being used as a vaccination venue it could still become one in the future.
(ii) The Pfizer vaccine was currently being used in LLR and initially vaccines were only being given to people over 80 years old and care home staff. However, it was important not to waste the vaccine and when all the people in those categories had been vaccinated the programme would be widened out to other people. Due to the way it was required to be stored the Pfizer vaccine was not as able to be taken out into communities as the Astra Zeneca vaccine which was still awaiting approval. It was planned that in the near future vaccinations would be able to be given more locally in places such as GP Practices. A schedule of the exact locations had not yet been published as care needed to be taken that the published information was accurate and would not be subject to change however a communications plan was in place. The public were advised not to contact their GP Practice regarding receiving the vaccine but to wait until the GP Practice contacted them. Clarification was awaited on whether it was safe for the Pfizer vaccine and the Astra Zeneca vaccine to be stored at the same venue and the answer to this question would have implications on which vaccination venues were chosen. There was a further reason for not yet publicising the venues of where the vaccine would be given and that was security concerns involving public disturbances at the venues and conversations were ongoing with the Police to ensure NHS colleagues were not put at risk.
(iii) The CCG were aware that some of the population of LLR were eager to be vaccinated whereas others were concerned about side effects and did not wish to receive the vaccine. In order that the vaccine was not wasted conversations were being had with individuals to ensure that they were willing to commit to the vaccination programme before the vaccine was allocated to them. The Pfizer vaccine involved a two stage vaccination process therefore it was important that participants were willing to take part in both stages of the process.
(iv) Once the vaccine was extended to wider categories of people the CCG intended to use local leaders and champions to encourage as many people in communities as possible to agree to be vaccinated.
(v) It would be difficult for people in receipt of domiciliary care to travel to receive the vaccine therefore it was intended that their carers would receive the Pfizer vaccine in order to give them some protection until the Astra Zeneca vaccine was approved and ready to be taken into homes.
(vi) Young people with learning disabilities were high on the priority list to receive the vaccine. Whilst categories of people such as the homeless and rough sleepers were not on the national list of priorities, conversations were taking place with local authorities and primary care partners to ensure they were included in the vaccination programme. Prisoners would also be included.
(vii) The vaccination communications plan needed to take into account adults with learning disabilities that did not have carers and those with sight and hearing problems to ensure that they were all made aware.
(viii) Nationally consideration was being given to a single telephone number for the public to be able to call to make the authorities aware of people that needed to be vaccinated but that had not yet received the vaccine.
(ix) Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust were managing the staff recruitment process for the vaccination centres. There were a range of job descriptions for the various roles required. Volunteers were being sought and hundreds of people had applied so far but they would need to fit the specific criteria for each role.
RESOLVED:
That the contents of the update be noted.