ADPH welcomes new vaccine strategy
Vaccination is one of the biggest defences against disease and ill-health we have and so it is vital that everyone eligible is able to access vaccines, regardless of their background or wealth.
Greg Fell
ADPH President
In a strategy launched today, the NHS has set out how it will increase national uptake of lifesaving vaccinations by making them easier to access through ‘one stop shops’ and community outreach, as well as increased use of technology. It is hoped that the new plans will mean that millions more people receive protection against a range of diseases.
Around nine in ten children have had their pre-school immunisations and flu vaccination rates are among the highest in the world, but NHS England are aiming to bring uptake rates even higher.
Last week marked the anniversary of the world’s first ever approved Covid-19 vaccination – given to 93-year-old Maggie Keenan in Coventry on the 8th December 2020 – and today’s strategy will build on the Covid-19 vaccine programme, which allowed adults to book their own vaccine appointments online, and to get vaccinated in a range of non-NHS settings.
Directors of Public Health work in partnership with health and care professionals and community groups to improve information and access for unvaccinated people who are less well-served by traditional health services and today’s strategy builds on the success of these existing local partnerships.
Greg Fell, ADPH President, said:
“Vaccination is one of the biggest defences against disease and ill-health we have and so it is vital that everyone eligible is able to access vaccines, regardless of their background or wealth. We saw during the Covid-19 pandemic that this is not always as straightforward as sending out an invitation and also saw the devastating impact low vaccination rates can have on communities.
“As local leaders of health, Directors of Public Health have the knowledge and expertise about their areas, as well as the necessary relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders, to maximise uptake amongst their local population.
“This new strategy recognises both the need to address existing inequalities in vaccine uptake and the vital role that Directors of Public Health have in helping to overcome them. We look forward to supporting our colleagues in the NHS as they work to improve these inequalities to protect even more people from disease.”