Targeted approach planned for high prevalence areas
Community testing in areas with high coronavirus (COVID-19) prevalence will begin in January, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced.
In a statement to Parliament on Scotland’s testing and vaccination programmes, Ms Freeman confirmed that community testing resources will be targeted at communities with high transmission rates, following successful trials in early December.
Local authorities will be asked to submit proposals for the programme in early January, which will be delivered in partnership with NHS Boards and supported with additional funding and resources, including mobile testing units and asymptomatic test sites, to provide PCR and lateral flow testing respectively.
In order to better target community testing, waste water sampling undertaken by SEPA and Scottish Water to track COVID prevalence will be expanded from 60 to around 200 tests per week throughout Scotland by the end of January, supported by £1.1 million in additional funding.
Discussions with local authorities are also underway regarding two models of school testing to be trialled in January. The first model will involve in-school testing using lateral flow devices, while the second will involve at-home sampling for PCR testing.
Ms Freeman also confirmed that a total of 56,676 people have received their first dose in the first two weeks of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, which aims to vaccinate all those on the JCVI prioritisation list by the end of Spring 2021. Once this group is complete, vaccination will start for the wider population, subject to available supplies.
The use of larger centres in heavily populated areas such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Lanarkshire is being investigated to supplement local and mobile solutions for those in remote and rural areas.
NHS Boards have also been asked to continue recruitment and redeployment, with the aim of securing around 1400 vaccinators and 800 support staff by the end of January.
Ms Freeman said: “I want to acknowledge the sheer effort that has been put in to enable what has been delivered already through our testing and vaccination programmes, and what we will deliver, as I have set out in Parliament today.
“Each of these programmes presents a major logistical challenges in and of themselves. Many people from different organisations and communities have come together to make them possible and I want to put on record my sincere thanks to everyone involved.
“These are incredibly tough times for everyone, at the end of what has already been an incredibly tough year, but this continued expansion of our testing and vaccination programmes will help us meet the challenge we face to drive down COVID rates in Scotland to the lowest possible level.
“Both are vital tools in our work to suppress the virus to the lowest possible level in Scotland, but they are only as important as the other measures we have including the Levels approach, enhanced support for our NHS and care sectors and critically, individuals doing the right thing by following FACTS – all of which are crucial to prevent the spread of this harmful virus through our communities.”
F – Face coverings A – Avoid crowded places C – Clean your hands regularly T – Two metres distance S – Self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms
A new app for health and care home staff carrying out coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations will provide rapid access to relevant patient information and collect data on how many people have received the vaccination.
The ‘Vaccination Management Tool’ was developed in response to the pandemic and, because it functions on PCs, tablets and iphones, can be used in any setting where the vaccine is being administered.
The tool means vaccinators can immediately see whether it is an individual’s first or second dose and which vaccine has been administered – which will be crucial as more become available.
It also means data can be sent to GP systems and, in time the information collected on the app will help demonstrate how effective each vaccine is by linking with testing data.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The development of this tool has been a significant collaborative effort involving both clinicians and technical staff and I would like to thank all those involved.
“Clearly we welcome anything which simplifies the process for vaccinators and having this app which can be used wherever they are working will be invaluable, allowing them to quickly access all relevant information on site.”
NHS Education for Scotland Chief Executive Stewart Irvine said: “Delivering a national vaccine programme is a huge undertaking.
“We are trying to make things as easy to use as possible for the staff who have to manage these large numbers of people. That’s in terms of planning their workflows, being able to work flexibly in all kinds of locations, and in providing a steady stream of data to help national planners.
“With tools like these, we are building integrated systems which remove additional burdens from hard-pressed health and care staff – allowing them to do what they do best.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde trialled the app for the winter flu programme. Immunisation Programme Manager Scott Hanley said: “We’re pleased to have helped test and feed-back on the app. Having all the individual’s information in one place and not having to use paper saved so much time for our staff.
“The fact that it is web-based also gives much more flexibility in who can use it – which gives us greater flexibility. And using a mobile tablet will help ensure patients are processed quicker on arrival at sites and will reduce the possibility of queues building up.”
The Vaccine Management Tool was developed by NHS Education for Scotland in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Fife, NHS National Services Scotland and Public Health Scotland.
It was piloted in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian to assist with the winter flu vaccination programme and is now being used across Scotland to assist with the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
If you’re feeling a little low this winter, catching up with a pal outdoors can help to lift your spirits.
NHS 24 has welcomed the appointment of new Chief Executive Jim Miller, who will join Scotland’s digital health and care service in the spring of 2021.
Mr Miller, is currently Director of Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities at NHS National Services Scotland. He will take up his appointment with NHS 24 on 5th April 2021 and over the coming months will work closely with current CEO Angiolina Foster to ensure an effective transition.
NHS 24 Chairman, Dr Martin Cheyne said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Jim Miller as our new Chief Executive to NHS 24. His appointment follows a detailed interview process which was carried out with a selection of highly experienced candidates for this senior position.
“Jim has worked in management and leadership for over 20 years and prior to joining the NHS, he led technology, data and resilience programmes in the construction and aviation sectors. He leads national organisations delivering a range of services across acute, primary and community based health and social care.
“He has also recently led strategic responses to the COVID 19 pandemic, including the building and equipping of the Louisa Jordan and establishing PPE routes across the system. I am delighted that he will be bringing this experience and talent to NHS 24.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: ”I want to congratulate Jim Miller on his appointment as the new Chief Executive of NHS 24. As the current Director of Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities at NHS National Services Scotland, Mr Miller is respected for his collaborative leadership and professionalism.
“I look forward to welcoming him into post and am confident NHS 24 will continue to deliver a high quality service under his leadership, working in partnership across the health and care system to ensure NHS 24 is fully prepared for future challenges.
“I am pleased Mr Miller will be working closely with current CEO Angiolina Foster in the coming months as he familiarises himself in his new role. I would like to thank Angiolina for the leadership she has provided and the many achievements and improvements delivered during her tenure as Chief Executive over the past four years. I wish her the very best for her retirement.”
Jim Miller said: “Joining NHS 24 is an exciting move and one which I am greatly looking forward to. NHS 24 has delivered exceptional services to the public and to the wider health and care system with its range of telephone and digital services during 2020.
“It has provided critical support to the public and the health system during the COVID pandemic and is helping to transform services through the delivery of 24/7 urgent care.
“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with colleagues across NHS 24, and am looking forward to continuing to build on this success and to further develop the role of NHS 24 with colleagues and partners across Scotland.”
The EIS has published a new briefing paper which highlights the views of Headteachers (HTs) and Deputes (DHTs) on the pressures of working in schools during the pandemic.
The EIS recently surveyed members across Scotland on a wide range of COVID-related issues and is publishing a series of themed briefings. Today’s report is based on comments received from HTs and DHTs in response to the national survey.
Key issues identified include:
Senior leaders highlighted that they are doing their best to implement the guidance to keep their schools safe, but there are just too many pupils in classrooms and in communal areas.
Some members suggested that the transmission within their school is not being reported.
There was widespread concern over the wellbeing of school staff who feel under pressure with their workload and are anxious about teaching with so many pupils in class full time.
EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “Headteachers and Deputes have been under immense pressure throughout the pandemic.
“Many Headteachers and Deputes worked through the summer holidays to prepare schools for return after the lockdown, and have continued to work extremely long hours ever since.
“Added to this, HTs and DHTs have been compelled to take on responsibility for contact tracing in their schools, with little or no additional support. With some school buildings set to remain open right up to Christmas, many HTs and DHTs will be expected to handle track and trace calls throughout the festive period.”
A sample of comments from HTs and DHTs who responded to the survey is included below:
“The amount of additional pressure and workload on head teachers is disgraceful. Now working 7 days a week as on call constantly with no time back or recognition. Schools are not safe.”
“Quite concerned about the way in which the public health team is dealing with confirmed cases in school. Parent can report that child has tested positive before 9am yet it takes until 3pm for any decision to be made about the class/staff isolating.”
“All staff are working in a very stressful environment due to working within guidance and are exhausted. Many feel vulnerable and would have appreciated being offered the flu vaccine as some protection against illness this winter. Many are also feeling undervalued as it’s fine for them to work with 30 different families but not for them to visit their own.”
“My desire would be that schools remain open and that our pupils get the service they long for. If the public health situation is severe enough for a level 4 lockdown and all non-essential shops are closed, then serious consideration must be given to risk of staff and pupils in schools. I believe that blended learning is a half-way house and pupils would get a better deal by staff being fully committed to remote learning. The remote learning offer is now far better than what it was in April to June.”
“We are finding staffing incredibly challenging. I currently have 50% of my teachers off and while we are able to cover, the lack of supply teachers available is very concerning. I am concerned about the impact on the staff who are in and the impact long term staff absence is having on our children.”
Staff are exhausted and anxious. There may be a limit to how long they can continue under such pressure.”
Today’s briefing (below) on Headteachers and Deputes is the latest publication to support the EIS campaign #NotAtAllCosts, which argues against the government plan to keep schools physically open ‘at all costs’ even in areas with high rates of COVID infection.
The EIS is continuing to share members’ comments online and urges individual teachers to do the same using the hashtag #NotAtAllCosts and tagging the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in their posts.
A joint statement on staying safe at Christmas from the UK Government, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government:
As we approach the festive period, the UK Government, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government are seeking to balance pragmatism with the overriding priority of protecting public health.
To do this, we have joined together to issue clear guidance and recommendations, as follows:
We know the extraordinary lengths that people have gone to this year to protect their loved ones and the NHS. We know that people want to see life return to normal. And with vaccines now being deployed, next year we are confident it will do. But to get there safely, this cannot be a normal Christmas. We must continue to work together to prevent the spread of the virus, and to protect our friends, our families and our front-line workers.
In some areas, the number of people with COVID-19 is rising rapidly, as it is in much of Europe. It is vital that we all act responsibly over Christmas to limit the risk of further transmission and keep each other as safe as possible. One in three people who have COVID-19 don’t show symptoms but can still pass on the virus.
To protect you and your loved ones, we recommend that you think very carefully about the risks of forming a bubble. Discuss alternatives to meeting up in person, or ways of meeting up outdoors instead. Only form a bubble if you feel you absolutely need to.
If you do decide you need to form a Christmas bubble, take precautions to minimise risk by stopping unnecessary social contact outside your immediate household as soon as possible, and for at least five days before you meet other households in your bubble, and by working from home if you can. On no account should you visit another household if you, or anyone in your household, is feeling unwell or is self-isolating.
Scientific advice is clear: the longer you meet others for, the higher the risk of you catching and spreading the virus. If you do intend to form a bubble, you should keep the bubble small and your visits short.
The five day period is a window of opportunity and should be seen as a legal maximum, not a target. If you do form a bubble, we recommend that you meet with it for the shortest possible time. You should not stay overnight unless absolutely unavoidable.
It is particularly important to think about the greater risks to more vulnerable people. If you are over 70 or clinically extremely vulnerable, think carefully about the risks. The safest approach may be not to form a Christmas bubble.
If you do form a Christmas bubble, then be especially careful to observe the guidance: meet outdoors where possible, wash your hands regularly, keep a distance from those you do not live with. If you meet indoors, ensure good ventilation by letting in fresh air. The clinically extremely vulnerable and the elderly will be prioritised for vaccination in the early part of next year.
If you are in an existing household or support bubble with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, think carefully. To help reduce the risks to their health, the safest approach would be to celebrate with your household or support bubble and not with others.
If you are forming a Christmas bubble you should consider carefully the risks of travelling at all. If you live in an area with the highest level of protection, for example, tier 3 in England and level 4 in Scotland, you should avoid travelling to lower prevalence areas where possible.
Each administration will issue specific travel advice based on its own circumstances. If you have to travel, book ahead to enable you and others to travel safely and plan your outward and return journeys carefully. Once you arrive you should stay local and not travel within the area.
If you form a Christmas bubble, practise safe behaviours: washing your hands, making space between members of different households wherever you can, and letting in fresh air. Following these behaviours, even within the home, will greatly reduce the risk of transmission.
We will all need to carry on practising safe behaviours after Christmas. This means shopping only if you can do so safely: shop online where you can; avoid crowds; and, if you are in crowded areas, wear a face covering and only go where it is well ventilated.
It is also really important to cut down on social contact after seeing your Christmas bubble, to reduce the risk of chains of transmission. This includes not meeting up with friends or family outside your household for New Year’s Eve. The tier or level rules will be in place on New Year’s Eve / Hogmanay and it is essential, as the minimum, that these are followed by everyone.
By taking these steps together, we can all enjoy a safer Christmas.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has joined with the leaders of the UK Government and the Welsh Government in issuing guidance on how the public should approach Christmas celebrations this year.
The First Minister has stressed that the strong recommendation of the Scottish Government to people across Scotland is to celebrate Christmas this year within your own household and in your own home – and as far as possible to keep any interaction with other households to a minimum. This is by far the safest way to spend this Christmas and keep your loved ones safe.
However, certain flexibilities were agreed in recognition of the impact of loneliness over Christmas on wellbeing and the fact that some people will not be willing to leave loved ones alone.
These provide a window of opportunity and should be seen as legal maximum to work well within. The guidance being issued seeks to reduce risks as far as possible for anyone choosing to use these flexibilities.
The First Minister stressed that the following key points should be taken into consideration by anyone choosing to spend time with other households indoors: keep the duration of any interaction as short as possible: keep any bubble as small as possible; avoid travel and overnight stays unless unavoidable; and comply with all distancing and hygiene advice.
She said: “Our strong advice this Christmas is to stay at home with your own household. Any interaction with other households should, as far as possible, be outdoors. That is the best way of keeping yourself and your loved ones safe this Christmas.
However, we recognize that in some cases, the isolation caused by being alone over Christmas will in itself cause harm to people’s welfare and that is why we have created a window of flexibility with accompanying guidance, to ensure that any household mixing is done as safely as possible,
“If you choose to form a bubble over the Christmas period, then you should take into consideration these key points:
“First, minimise the number of people in the bubble – while three households is the legal maximum, our recommendation is that two households would be better, and you should keep as far within the maximum of eight people over the age of 12 as you can. In short, the smaller the bubble is, the better and safer it will be.
“Second, you should minimise the time spent with your bubble, especially indoors. The five days is a window of opportunity, not a recommended time that it is safe for you to spend together – indeed, the Scottish Government recommends that you do not meet up with people in your bubble on any more than one day over the period and do not stay overnight unless it is unavoidable. And you should minimise the distance you intend to travel.
“You should also avoid all travel between high prevalence areas and low prevalence areas – in particular, that means avoiding travel to or from Scotland and Tier 3 areas in England, and to or from any Level 4 areas in Scotland (of which there are currently none).
The First Minister concluded: “Being asked not to see loved ones at Christmas unless absolutely essential is one of the toughest things imaginable. But, this year, it is essential to help keep people safe.
“With a vaccination programme now underway, a return to more normal life is on the horizon – and I hope that the prospect of brighter days ahead will help all of us get through this difficult Christmas as safely as possible.”
PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON’S CORONVIRUS UPDATE STATEMENT
‘So have yourselves a merry little Christmas – and I’m afraid this year I do mean little’
It is just a week since the United Kingdom began the biggest vaccination programme in our history.
And the public is coming forward at an extraordinary pace to get a jab, to protect themselves, beginning with the elderly and the most vulnerable.
With 138,000 recipients of the first dose – and more joining them every minute – there is no doubt we are winning and we will win our long struggle against this virus which makes it all the more important that we hold our nerve this winter.
Because we are now in a race to protect us all while doing everything we can to keep the virus under control.
And thanks to the colossal collective effort in November we did bring the R below 1; we did get the infection rate down.
But I must be frank with you – we are already seeing worrying rises in some parts of the country: Kent is still seeing rising infections; the number of cases in London is at 270 per 100,000 people. And that’s why we acted quickly by moving London into Tier 3 from today.
And tomorrow (Thursday) the Health Secretary will announce the outcome of the latest tiering review.
And so like every other European country facing similar challenges we have come to this moment, a great global festival – a turning point, a time of year that is of immense emotional and spiritual importance.
But also a moment for us to exercise extreme caution when we must remember that one of the most striking features of this virus is that it spreads invisibly from people who don’t even have symptoms which is in fact around 1 in 3 of everyone infected.
And that’s why from the beginning this virus has been so hard to fight and that’s why it’s so important to follow the rules – and why this Christmas it’s vital that everyone exercises the greatest possible personal responsibility.
And having looked at the latest data – with our colleagues in the Devolved Administrations, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we have decided that the overall situation is, alas, worse and more challenging than we had hoped when we first set the rules.
So while it would not be right to criminalise people who have made plans and simply want to spend time with their loved ones, we are all collectively across the UK, governments at every level, asking you to think hard and in detail about the days ahead and whether you can do more to protect yourself and others.
We are keeping the laws the same – but we all want to send the same message: a smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas, and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas.
When we say three households can meet on five days, I want to stress these are maximums, not targets to aim for.
And of course it is always going to be safest to minimise the number of people you meet.
And that means that if you are visiting others over Christmas, we are asking you – in the five days beforehand, as early as this Friday – to reduce the number of people you are in contact with to the lowest possible, because this virus spreads from human contact.
If possible don’t travel from a high prevalence to a low prevalence area and avoid staying away from home overnight if you can.
Remember, the vaccine is on the way and our aim is to inoculate everyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable or elderly in the early months of next year.
So if you’re elderly, the best way to minimise your personal risk is to wait to be vaccinated before spending time indoors with others.
And if you have an elderly relative, you might want to delay seeing them until they’ve been vaccinated.
And whatever your plans for Christmas, please think carefully about avoiding crowds in the Boxing Day Sales
And no one should be gathering in large groups to see in the New Year – remember the rules in your local area will apply.
In most places across the UK, I’m afraid that means you cannot mix with other households indoors.
All the information about how best to protect yourself and your loved ones is being made available on gov.uk.
So have yourselves a merry little Christmas – And I’m afraid this year I do mean little
But with the vaccine, and all the other measures that we are taking, we do know things will be better in this country by Easter. And I’m sure that next year Christmas will be as normal for every family in the country.
NHS Lothian urges locals to download app to help stop the spread
Young teens living in the Lothians are being urged to join the fight against COVID-19 by downloading the Protect Scotland app.
The free app is now available to those aged 12-15, and parents are being asked to encourage their child to download it if they have a compatible smartphone, to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
The age range has been extended to allow younger people to protect themselves and those in their household – and help make sure they can keep meeting up with friends outdoors.
NHS Lothian today highlighted how the app offers an additional layer of protection, building on existing person-to-person contract tracing in place, and the more people that download it and use it, the more effective it will be.
Already downloaded over 1.7 million times since its launch in September, the Protect Scotland app enables people to self-isolate far quicker if they are exposed to the virus, reducing the risk of them infecting others.
Once downloaded, it works in the background, using Bluetooth technology to anonymously alert people if they’ve been near another app user who has tested positive for coronavirus.
And if they themselves test positive, app users are being encouraged to enter the code they’re provided, so close contacts can be quickly notified.
This latest update of the app will also reflect the reduction of the isolation period length to 10 days.
People’s privacy is be protected, as the app uses encrypted anonymised codes to determine close contacts, which are deleted after 14 days. It doesn’t store details on an individual, or their location.
https://youtu.be/rzGzh0msKNA
Katie Dee, NHS Lothian’s Interim Director of Public Health, said: “I would encourage those aged 12 – 15 to download the free app, and parents to encourage their children to get the app, if they have a compatible smartphone.
“The app helps support NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect system, adding an additional means of notifying people who have been exposed to the virus, allowing them to self-isolate far quicker which reduces the risk of them infecting others.
“Using the app and following FACTS will help protect your household, and help young teens continue to be able to meet up with their friends more safely. The more people that use it, the more effective it will be in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the area.”
Download the free app today at protect.scot and protect yourself, your family, and Scotland against coronavirus.
Headteachers and Depute Headteachers from across Scotland have shared their extreme disappointment at the Scottish Government’s decision not to allow schools to move to remote learning as a means of protecting the health of staff, pupils and their families in the final week before Christmas.
A meeting of the EIS Headteacher (HT) and Depute Headteacher (DHT) Network, held on Friday, heard first-hand testimony from HTs and DHTs over the severe additional workload pressure that has been placed on school management teams as a result of COVID contact tracing requirements whenever a pupil or staff member tests positive for the virus.
Headteacher and Network Convener Lorraine McBride said, “The COVID pandemic has had a severe impact in our schools and has created huge stresses on everyone within our communities.
“Quite apart from the impact on the physical health of many teachers and students, there has also been a severe impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Added to this has been the huge additional workload burden generated by the demands of the contract tracing system, which frequently interrupts weekend and evenings on top of taking up swathes of time during the school day that should be being spent on other essential priorities.”
“Whenever there is a positive case linked to a school, this creates a demand on SMTs to quickly track, trace and isolate every pupil and staff member who has come into close contact with the infected person. This is additional workload, over and above the many usual demands on SMT’s time, and it has been imposed upon us with little or nothing in the way of tangible support.”
Ms McBride continued, “It is concrete support that we need – not just fine words from the Scottish Government or our employers telling us how much they appreciate us. Many HTs and DHTs have been left absolutely devastated by the Scottish Government’s decision not to allow schools to close their buildings early and move to remote learning in the final week before Christmas.
“This decision means that, where positive cases are identified late, SMTs may be expected to deliver or support contact tracing work over the Christmas period. The Scottish Government’s decision also significantly increases the risk of pupils and staff taking the virus into their homes, or into the homes of potentially vulnerable family members, during the festive period.”
Ms McBride added, “All we we’re asking for was for school buildings to close a few days early, in order to protect us all and our families. Education would have continued via remote learning and we were absolutely not asking for extra holidays, as has been falsely claimed elsewhere.
“In failing to take a small, common sense, step to protect teachers, pupils and their families, the Scottish Government is risking what little goodwill remains amongst a teaching profession that has been worn down to the point of physical and mental exhaustion over this past year.”
The TUC has warned the UK government against repeating the mistakes of Test and Trace by outsourcing the Covid-19 vaccine programme.
The union body says ministers must learn the lessons from the failures of Test and Trace and PPE provision by ensuring the design and delivery of the vaccination programme is led by public health professionals not private contractors.
The TUC has today published a five-step plan the government should take to ensure effective distribution and take-up of the vaccine:
1. Empower local public health teams to take the lead: Local directors of public health must be given a central role in co-ordinating the vaccination programme and not be “marginalised” like under Test and Trace, says the TUC.
Local public health teams have consistently proven more effective at outreach than the centralised Test and Trace system – with contact rates of over 90% compared to 60% for services run by Serco. But they have been forced to make do with small and piecemeal amounts of money in comparison to the billions handed to Serco.
With the vaccine likely to require significant outreach work at community level, local public health teams must be given the funding they need to run large-scale vaccination programmes.
2. Improve supply chains: The NHS’s fragmented and privatised supply chains massively slowed down the supply of PPE to frontline staff during the first wave of the crisis.
To avoid similar delays with the supply of the vaccine ministers should look at using public fleets as appropriate.
3. Trained healthcare staff should administer the vaccine: The effectiveness of Test and Trace has been hugely undermined by private companies drafting in non-healthcare staff with minimal training, says the TUC.
The union body says any expansion in staff able to administer vaccines should be overseen and organised by NHS organisations or local authorities.
Training non-health workers to give vaccines should be only a last resort, with options such as bringing health workers back from retirement considered first.
4. Persuade and support people to get the vaccine: Compliance with the vaccination programme should be achieved through persuasion not compulsion, says the TUC.
Getting vaccinated must not be made a condition of employment or access to public services.
And staff should be given paid time-off to get vaccinated.
5. Build public trust: A high level of engagement and compliance will be essential for the vaccination programme to be successful.
Trust and confidence in the vaccination system is most likely to be maximised by a system designed and led by public health professionals.
Public health experts should lead on communications around vaccination roll out and the impact. This will help avoid the politicisation of announcements and ensure that public expectations are realistic. And there should be transparency and a public discussion about who is prioritised for the vaccine.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “We all have a shared interest in getting the vaccine programme right. It’s our only shot at getting life back to normal.But that means learning the lessons from the failures of Test and Trace and PPE provision.
“The best way to deliver an effective rollout – and build public trust in the vaccine – is for local public health teams to run it. They know their communities best and are best placed to reach them.
“Outsourcing Test and Trace to private contractors has caused huge problems. We cannot afford the same mistake to be made with the delivery of the vaccine.”
On the need to provide persuasion and support, Frances O’Grady added: “The Test and Trace programme has not supported people to do the right thing. People are still not being given the level of sick pay they need to self-isolate and are then hit with large fines for not complying.
“We need a sea-change of approach when it comes to the vaccine.
“People need to be persuaded, not forced into taking it. Allowing workers paid-time off to get vaccinated will help make things easier.”
Parents of children aged 2-5 living in Edinburgh, who missed a child flu vaccine appointment, are being invited to attend a new drop-in vaccination clinic this weekend (Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December).
NHS Lothian is organising the session at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People to offer parents another opportunity to make sure their child is protected against flu this winter.
The clinic is specifically for children who are registered with an Edinburgh GP but were unable to attend a previously scheduled appointment time.
Pat Wynne, Nurse Director, Primary and Community Care, said: “Flu is very infectious and can be serious. Even healthy children can become ill, which can be very unpleasant for them, and they can spread it to family.
“This winter it’s more important than ever to prevent people getting the flu, particularly because of coronavirus. The best way to protect your child and others who are vulnerable is to get vaccinated.”
“We understand that parents are really busy and might not have been able to make an appointment. To help make sure they don’t miss out we’re putting on this extra flu vaccination clinic.”
The children’s flu vaccine is safe and effective. It is offered free every year as a simple, painless, nasal spray to children to help protect them from getting and spreading the flu.
In Edinburgh, parents of children aged between and 2 and 5 years old, who are not yet in school, will have received a letter to attend a scheduled appointment at a children’s flu clinic in the city.
Anyone who has received a letter to attend a child flu vaccine appointment at a clinic after 6th December should continue to attend that as normal. Children who require a flu vaccine by injection for medical or religious reasons, should approach their GP practice.
Pat Wynne, Nurse Director, Primary and Community Care, added: “As this is a drop-in clinic there might be short wait for parents, but we strongly encourage anyone who has missed their appointment to take up this opportunity and to attend over the weekend.”
The drop-in children’s flu vaccination clinic is being held between 9am and 4pm at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, 51 Little France Crescent, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA.
The drop-inis only for children aged 2-5yrs (and not yet at school) registered with an Edinburgh GP Practice who have missed a flu vaccination appointment.
The UK has become the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine for widespread use.
It’s understood that a public vaccination programme, using the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, could be under way as early as NEXT WEEK.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said this morning: “2020 has been just awful but 2021 now looks so much better. I can now say with certainty that help is on it’s way. This will take time to roll out but I am confident now, that from Spring, from Easter onwards, things are going to be better and we wll have a summer that everybody can enjoy.
“We still face a difficult winter – but dawn is on the horizon.”
British regulator, the MHRA, says the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19 illness, is safe for roll out next week.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said his morning: “The Government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use.
“This follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA who have concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.
“The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) will shortly publish its final advice for the priority groups to receive the vaccine, including care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable.
“The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week. The NHS has decades of experience in delivering large scale vaccination programmes and will begin putting their extensive preparations into action to provide care and support to all those eligible for vaccination.
“To aid the success of the vaccination programme it is vital everyone continues to play their part and abide by the necessary restrictions in their area so we can further suppress the virus and allow the NHS to do its work without being overwhelmed.
“Further details will be set out shortly.”
TUESDAY START FOR VACCINATIONS IN SCOTLAND
Deliveries of the first coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to Scotland are expected to be made next week with injections being given from Tuesday 8 December.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has confirmed that the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has been authorised for use in the UK.
The vaccine, which must be stored at well below freezing, will be transported to 23 locations around the country in temperature controlled lorries.
Everyone being vaccinated will need two vaccines, between 21 and 28 days apart.
Those giving the vaccination to others will receive the injection first. The programme will then follow the independent advice received from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which recommends prioritising those with the greatest clinical need – including those aged over 80, and health and social care workers. The storage requirements mean logistics around delivery to care homes are more challenging and they are currently under consideration.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Today’s announcement confirming that a safe and effective vaccine can now be used is the best news than any of us have heard about the virus since the pandemic began.
“As long as we receive the first doses of vaccine when we expect to, we will begin vaccinating from Tuesday next week.
“It is of course worth remembering that everyone will require two vaccines, with the second vaccine between 21 and 28 days after the first, so even for those who are among the first, there will be very few completed until early next year.
“We intend to vaccinate the vaccinators first, followed by the priority groups recommended by the JCVI, however we also need to take account of the conditions attached to the authorisation to supply the vaccine which will present challenges around transporting the vaccine to care homes and individual homes.
“We are therefore in the process of working through how we can ensure people in priority groups in those settings can be vaccinated.
“For all the difficulties that lie ahead, it should give us all real hope that the end of the pandemic is in sight.”
