Update on 2023 Public Health Annual Report

As is customary in the Public Health Annual Report, we provide a lookback of progress since the last PHAR. Our 2023 PHAR examined childhood immunisations using a microsite. This topic was chosen due to decreases in vaccine uptake in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the borough since the COVID-19 pandemic and increases in vaccine-preventable diseases across the region. The report highlighted the ongoing advances made in vaccination over time and their importance in protecting the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Sefton.

1. There is utilisation of the Sefton Health Protection Forum to review childhood immunisation uptake in Sefton, identifying trends and areas for further focus, with an in-depth review of the programmes at least once each year.
2. There is a Health Protection Forum Sub-Group for Immunisations, including wider partners, to develop and support work to address barriers to accessing immunisations for children in Sefton, including ways we can tailor the local offer for underserved communities.
3. Partnerships with academic partners are built so that evidence around improving vaccination uptake can be translated into local action through collaboration.
4. Partners in Sefton who work with pregnant women, children, young people and their families should be supported, so that they have access to the latest information on the childhood vaccination programme, so that we can support parents, carers and young people to make informed decisions about vaccinations.

The effects of this report on highlighting and addressing under-vaccination of children are yet to be quantified due to the iterative nature of our approach for this topic. The microsite of childhood immunisations will be continually updated with real-time data so can be used to monitor progress on addressing under-vaccination in children in Sefton. This will be monitored over time and subsequent updates provided in future PHARs when enough time has passed to show meaningful impacts.

However, the report examined a case study of a multi-component pilot project in South Sefton Primary Care Network, looking to address under-vaccination of children. This included immunisation nurses contacting families of under-vaccinated children, discussing any issues or concerns with them and inviting them to appointments. This pilot project has supported eight GP practices with immunisation clinics, administering 442 vaccination courses so far.  A practice manager from one of the involved GP practices fed back:

“We have found this project to be incredibly valuable to our patients. The additional support and capacity for vaccinating our children has made a significant difference and has been greatly appreciated. Having this additional assistance has allowed us to reach more families, ensure timely vaccinations, and contribute to the overall safety of our community. The impact has been extremely positive, and we are grateful for the support this project has provided.”