Natalia Clifford, Associate Director for Public Health and Gemma Lyons, Health Protection Lead introduced the report that updated the Board on the Autumn Covid-19 booster programme, delivered between 11 September 2023 and 31 January 2024. The data revealed that 25.6% of the eligible population in Tower Hamlets received the booster between September 2023 and January 2024, slightly lower than the North East London average of 31%. Noteworthy was the higher coverage among high-risk groups, including care home residents (75% coverage), housebound residents (81%), and individuals aged 80 and over (45%).

However, certain demographics, such as those aged 80 plus, individuals aged 65 to 79, and patients with learning disabilities or serious mental illnesses, exhibited lower booster coverage compared to the North East London average. To address these disparities, funding from the North East London Integrated Care System (ICS) and public health sources was utilized to implement targeted communication and engagement initiatives. These efforts involved collaborating with voluntary, community, and faith-based organizations to organize events, workshops, Q&A sessions, and distribute informative materials through various channels.

An innovative vaccination engagement pilot was developed to reach vulnerable residents, focusing on those aged 80 plus and individuals with specific health conditions. Additionally, motivational interviewing training was provided to enhance the workforce's ability to engage with the public effectively. The after-action review conducted with partners highlighted challenges and identified areas for improvement for the upcoming spring booster program.

Moving forward, action areas have been identified to enhance the delivery model for care homes, housebound patients, and clinically extremely vulnerable children. Improvements in escalation processes, governance, vaccine delivery across the health system, integration of outreach activities into broader health events, and data scrutiny mechanisms were outlined for future planning. The spring booster program, running from April 15th to June 30th, targets adults aged 75 and over, residents in care homes, and immunosuppressed individuals.

Efforts are being made to strengthen the delivery model through collaborative partnerships and tailored communication strategies for these specific cohorts. The overarching goal is to ensure equitable access to vaccinations, increase uptake among priority groups, and streamline processes for efficient program implementation. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the planned improvements, the health system aims to enhance vaccination coverage and promote public health resilience in the community.

Further to the presentation, the Board:

·         Stressed the importance of improving COVID booster uptake, especially among vulnerable sections of the community, such as older age groups and immunosuppressed individuals.

·         Expressed concerns about the drop in vaccination rates within the Bangladeshi community, despite initially having high uptake at the start of the pandemic.

·         Expressed concerns about the lack of detailed demographic data, particularly on COVID uptake by ethnic minorities, poses a challenge in addressing health inequalities effectively. The Board underscored the ongoing challenges in collecting comprehensive demographic data and the imperative need for tailored strategies to improve vaccination coverage across all vulnerable populations.

·         Welcomed the additional efforts made to engage with communities historically showing lower vaccination rates through targeted messaging

·         Expressed concerns about low vaccination rates among individuals with learning disabilities and serious mental illnesses and highlighted the need to increase awareness about the need to address barriers and enhance support for marginalised groups.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The Health and Wellbeing Board note the updates and efforts to promote uptake and awareness of the spring Covid-19 booster among eligible residents.