Autumn Covid-19 vaccinations in Sefton have been brought forward by four weeks because of the emergence of “a new variant of the Covid virus known to be spreading rapidly”.
The Sefton Place Director (NHS Cheshire and Merseyside) Deborah Butcher is due to give an update on the vaccination programme for Covid and flu at a Sefton Council Overview and Scrutiny meeting next Tuesday (17th October 2023).
The vaccinations began with care home residents in the borough before widening to include other eligibility local residents.
The annual NHS flu vaccination programme for children is also underway currently.
In her report, Deborah Butcher said: “The Autumn Winter 2023/2024 Covid and Flu vaccination programme was brought forward by four weeks commencing 11th September for all care home residents and from 18th September for all other eligible citizens.
“Completion date for the phase is 15th December with the aim that visits to care homes are within 6 weeks and by 22nd October.
“Vaccinations have been rolled out earlier than originally planned due to the emergence of a new variant of the Covid virus known to be spreading rapidly. The expedited roll out is to protect citizens as early as possible.
“Southport and Formby PCN roving vaccination team has started delivering to all CQC registered care homes and patients registered as housebound with their general practice.
“Both Covid and Flu vaccines will be offered to residents whilst care home staff will be offered a Covid vaccination with advice to book for their flu vaccine at a community pharmacy or from their own GP surgery.
“South Sefton PCN have also signed up to deliver
“Covid and flu vaccines to their most vulnerable care home and housebound residents. Preparations are underway to commence visiting as soon as supplies of flu vaccines arrive in general practices to support coadministration of both vaccines.
“Both PCNs will provide feedback regarding progress on a weekly basis to provide assurance that visits to care homes will be completed in a timely manner.”
14 community pharmacies across Sefton will continue to offer appointments for both Covid and flu vaccinations with an additional 9 joining the programme, making a total of 23 spread across the borough.
Some pharmacies are still in the ‘on-boarding’ process being dealt with by NHSE Cheshire and Merseyside team and will be ready to offer vaccine appointments in the next 1-2 weeks.
Eligible citizens can book their Covid and flu vaccine appointments in any participating pharmacy offering appointments by calling 119 or via the National Booking Service on the NHS App.
The model of PCNs visiting care homes and housebound patients has been successful in previous phases.
Sefton Place is confident the additional number of community pharmacies offering appointments to eligible citizens for the autumn/winter phase will meet the vaccine demand for the area.
Living Buss will visit sites across Sefton
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership has continued to be commissioned to provide the Living Well Bus, which is a roving service to address inequalities and underserved groups.
The small bus will be sited in various locations every week with targeted visits to LD facilities, day centres and areas of deprivation to support access to vaccines and improve uptake in hard-to-reach wards.
Insight data will support the choosing of locations for the bus to visit.
The Living Well Bus is a ‘drop in’ service, i.e. no appointment required. Vaccinations will be available and if capacity allows health checks can be offered with Covid vaccination taking priority at busy times.
Children’s flu vaccination programme gets underway
The annual NHS flu vaccination programme for children aged 2-3, school age children and children over 6 months with certain health conditions is underway in Cheshire and Merseyside. The NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside is calling on parents to ensure children’s consent forms are completed, and that eligible pre-schoolers are booked in for appointments at the GP practice, to stop the spread of flu this autumn and winter.
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