Found: Bedford has had a significant problem with coronavirus rates and also a lack of vaccination take-up.

Found: Bedford has had a significant problem with coronavirus rates and also a lack of vaccination take-up.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what research they are undertaking to determine the reasons for vaccine hesitancy amongst communities or sections of society with traditionally low take-up; and what steps they are undertaking to combat such hesitancy.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce variations in the level of the uptake of routine vaccination programmes.

Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)

The Department works with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England to improve immunisation coverage for all, including those from under-vaccinated communities, through a range of initiatives. This includes data to better identify under-served individuals and populations, training for healthcare professionals and communication with the public, offering alternative delivery routes and local outreach efforts to connect with communities with historically lower uptake are informed of the benefits of vaccines. It also includes ensuring everyone can access through provision of immunisation leaflets available in over 15 languages as well as being available in braille, BSL, large print and audio versions.

It is vitally important that everyone takes up the vaccinations to which they are entitled; for themselves, their families, and wider society. Anyone unsure about their eligibility or vaccination status should contact their GP for advice.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decline in the uptake of immunisations in each of the last 10 years in England.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Data on coverage of the childhood vaccination programme published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS Digital shows a consistent decline in coverage over the last 10 years.

UKHSA undertakes annual surveys of parents and adolescents to understand how knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards immunisation, vaccine safety and disease severity influence vaccine uptake decision-making. Confidence in vaccination remains consistently high in these surveys.

UKHSA, in partnership with NHS England and the Department, is undertaking a range of actions to improve vaccination coverage in England, and to promote the value of vaccines through regular media and stakeholder and social media engagement. This includes initiatives to improve access to the immunisation programme, data to better identify underserved individuals and populations, and training for healthcare professionals.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reverse the decline in uptake of immunisations to prevent infectious diseases from reoccurring in future winter seasons.

Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Vaccination is the best defence against severe illness, with inflections including flu and COVID-19 becoming more common over the winter season. More than 17.3 million people received a COVID-19 autumn booster this year and overall, the National Health Service COVID-19 vaccination programme has delivered 144.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine since December 2020.

NHS staff, together with partners, including local Government and volunteers, have delivered a combined 38 million flu and covid doses this winter amid record pressures on emergency services, providing crucial protection to the most vulnerable and keeping thousands out of hospital.

NHS England has also written directly to parents of two- to three-year-olds and sent tailored letters to people in high-risk groups. An additional online national booking service was tested this year so eligible people had another route to book a pharmacy appointment. The effectiveness of this service is being evaluated for the 2023/24 season. There has also been a major seasonal vaccinations marketing and communications campaign to encourage people to come forward.

They will be ready to stand up future campaigns with the same dedication and determination once new guidance is set out. Plans for 2023/24 will build on good practice from previous flu and covid seasons and to reflect the need to achieve maximum coverage across eligible cohorts.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 7 December 2022 to Question 94752 on Vaccination, with reference to the findings of the UK Health Security Agency's reports on (a) Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV) coverage report, England, April 2020 to March 2021, dated 23 November 2021 and (b) Shingles vaccine coverage (England): annual report of the financial year 2021 to 2022, last updated 11 November 2022, what steps his Department is taking to increase vaccine uptake.

Answered by Maria Caulfield - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)

The Department works with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the NHS to improve immunisation access by providing clear, accurate information about eligibility, and the benefits of vaccines.

For both the adult pneumococcal and shingles vaccinations, general practices (GPs) proactively invite patients to come forward throughout the year when they reach the eligible age. GPs also provide these vaccines opportunistically when patients visit their GP for any other reason. The Department encourages anyone unsure of their vaccination status or eligibility, to contact their GP for advice.

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Found: Overall, social influences had a positive impact on vaccination take up.