Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
There has also been particularly low uptake of the vaccine among pregnant women.
Conclusion
There has also been particularly low uptake of the vaccine among pregnant women. As of February 2022, analysis by UKHSA showed that only 58% had received 2 doses.34 The Royal College of Nursing told us that lessons needed to be learnt from the mixed messaging and confusion around the vaccination of pregnant women early in 2021. It noted that many of the most critically ill patients in recent waves of infection had been pregnant unvaccinated women.35 NHS England told us about particular initiatives it considered had improved uptake in this challenging cohort, while efforts had also been made to encourage vaccination before pregnancy.36 In UKSHA’s most recent vaccine surveillance report, the committee noted that women of black ethnicity and women living in the most deprived areas continued to be least likely to have been vaccinated before they gave birth.37
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
2: PAC conclusion: Comparatively low vaccination uptake persists in many vulnerable groups and, after the first booster campaign, has even dropped further for some. 2. PAC recommendation: Recognising that reasons for lower uptake will vary, NHS England and UKHSA should urgently evaluate which approaches are most effective for increasing uptake, communicate again with local areas about what works, and provide support to them to deploy the most effective approaches. This should include fresh approaches to tackling the persistent low uptake observed in some ethnic groups. 2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2023 2.2 Throughout the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, the government has captured learnings and conducted evaluation about which approaches work most effectively in reducing vaccine inequalities. For the 2022 autumn/winter campaign, NHSE will work in partnership and support local systems to continue evaluating different approaches to vaccine delivery. Supported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) vaccination evaluation framework, this will provide better understanding of the most effective ways to offer vaccination, especially for communities where uptake and confidence may be lower. 3 2.3 Continuous engagement at a local, regional and national level with partners and organisations, as well as greater understanding through insight and community conversations, allow NHSE to continue to build trust and confidence with communities, maximise convenience and minimise complacency in a way that works locally. NHSE intends to continue offering vaccinations through a range of flexible delivery models, supported by culturally tailored and community-led activity.