The purpose of this report is to update the Health and Wellbeing Board on health protection system performance, achievements, and risks for 2023, as well as areas of focus for 2024.

Rob Davies presented a brief overview on the Health Protection system as a whole. The principal points included:

1.     When compared to England/region/similar local authority, Herefordshire tends to be at the average or above the average in terms of immunisations, population screenings.

2.     In some areas, Herefordshire is leading the country including, for example, in the human papillomavirus (HPV) programme in schools.

3.     Similarly with seasonal flu vaccinations among the over 65s which have exceeded the national target.

4.     While performing high among a lot of child immunisations including Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination, there is still more to do to do better. Priorities for 2024 include increasing MMR dose 1 and 2 coverage above 95%, with particularly emphasis on dose 1 (currently 93% in 2022/23), which provides the majority of protection.

5.     Where Herefordshire is underperforming, in line with national trends, is with breast cancer. Since Covid, there have been a lot of backlogs with who was invited to screening and this is the same in Herefordshire as it is nationally.

The Chair asked about the lower take-up of vaccination for shingles and pneumonia amongst older people. The Chair noted that she has not been offered a vaccination for shingles and pneumonia and queried whether this could be a factor as to why vaccination coverage is below the England average and benchmark target for 2021/22.

Dr Mike Hearne added that this is an all-organisational approach and how such an approach can be adopted to make programmes such as immunisation more effective.

The Director of Public Health agreed and added how this is also linked to health inequalities and how different barriers can be addressed to help increase uptake in immunisation and screening programmes to help improve health outcomes.

The report recommendations were proposed, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Resolved that:

a)    Health and Wellbeing Board to note the content of the report and are aware of the key findings, performance, risks, achievements and future priorities of the Health Protection Assurance Forum;

b)    Identify and feedback to Health Protection Assurance Forum whether the Health and Wellbeing Board require any further follow up reports, or updates, on key health protection activities.