Hertfordshire health chiefs point to evidence of ‘waning immunity’ to Covid-19

A report was presented to a joint meeting of the East and North Herts, Herts Valleys and West Essex Clinical Commissioning Groups
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Health chiefs across Hertfordshire and West Essex are pointing to evidence of ‘waning immunity’, as they continue to focus on the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

According to a written report presented to a joint meeting of the East and North Herts, Herts Valleys and West Essex Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) on Thursday, November 25, infection rates “remain high”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Increased numbers of patients aged 65 and over are now being admitted to hospitals with Covid-19. And says the report, “evidence would suggest waning immunity”.

Coronavirus stock imageCoronavirus stock image
Coronavirus stock image

That is said to have ‘heightened the focus’ on the delivery of booster vaccines – especially in care homes.

Read More
Tighter rules on face masks and PCR tests for foreign travel announced

But in care homes it was said that just under 69 per cent of eligible residents had had the booster dose.

It was also reported that additional clinics were being held to increase access to the vaccine for those aged 12 to 15.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, says the report, seasonal flu vaccinations have also been delivered across the area – with 68 per cent of the over-65s and 30 per cent of the 50-64 year olds having been vaccinated.

And that’s significantly higher than the England average rates of 57 an 19 per cent, respectively.

“Community Pharmacies are heavily supporting the programme and delivering more vaccines than ever this year,” says the report.

“Additional vaccines have been procured by the DHSC and should soon be available in order to maintain momentum and meet demand.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The report recognises that flu vaccinations for two and three-year-olds is ‘a little behind last year’.

And it says the school-age programme ‘has had a slower start, as a result of the Covid programme for 12-15-year-olds being in place’.

But it says that across Hertfordshire and West Essex plans are in place to accelerate the school-age flu vaccination programme.

Meanwhile ‘steady progress’ is said to have been made on flu vaccination uptake among health and care workers.

And a ‘roving model’ is being used to support flu and Covid vaccination for care home staff and outstanding care home residents.

Related topics: