11/05/21 Briefing to care homes and domiciliary care providers during COVID-19 Will Maimaris, Director of Public Health This is briefing number 57 from Haringey’s Director of Public Health, in collaboration with our Clinical Commissioning Group. Latest updates Update on COVID-19 cases Overall, we have seen a decline in the number of infections reported across London this week, and cases in the community remain low. In Haringey, our weekly incidence rate for all ages has increased to 16.0 per 100,000 and to 2.6 per 100,000 for ages 60+. COVID-19 associated hospital admission rates have also fallen across North London. In the last week, no new cases have been reported in Haringey care settings, however, we continue to closely monitor the situation. Please continue to ensure you and your staff are following Public Health England guidance relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to limit the spread of COVID-19: • for all care settings: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) illustrated guide for community and social care settings • for care homes: COVID-19: how to work safely in care homes • for domiciliary care: COVID-19: how to work safely in domiciliary care in England • care home and home care providers can use the PPE Portal to order and receive critical coronavirus (COVID-19) personal protective equipment (PPE). Further resources can be found in our COVID-19 support directory at the end of this document. If you suspect a case of COVID-19 in your care setting, please immediately inform the London Coronavirus Response Cell (LCRC) on 0300 303 0450 or email [email protected], and also notify Haringey Public Health team at [email protected]. Any member of social care staff who develops symptoms should immediately self-isolate and order a test. 11/05/21 Oxford/AstraZeneca Vaccine Update The Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) has updated its guidance on vaccine usage in adults aged under 40. On reviewing the latest data, the JCVI advises as a precaution, that it is preferable for people under the age of 40 to receive either Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. This is due to reports of an extremely rare blood clotting problem affecting a small number of people who have had the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine ➢ People aged 40 or over and those with other health conditions should still receive any of the available COVID vaccines when offered. The benefits of being vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine in this age group continue to outweigh any risk of clotting problems. ➢ There are currently no safety concerns of blood clots following second dose of AZ vaccine, and if you are aged under 40 and received AZ with no issues, you can have AZ as your second dose. The update has been informed by the current vaccine supply and rate of infection in the UK, which means this precautionary step can be taken whilst ensuring all adults are offered a vaccine by the end of July. Further information • The NHS UK COVID Vaccination site has been updated to include details about vaccination and blood clotting. • An information leaflet on COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting has been produced by Public Health England. COVID-19 vaccine update More than 35 million people in the UK have now received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 17 million people have had both doses. Within Haringey, 87% of care home residents and 73% of care staff have been vaccinated. We are very pleased to see the uptake among Haringey care homes is high, and we continue to work with care home managers to increase uptake among staff. Vaccinating care home staff and residents to protect them from COVID-19 is a national priority. By providing vaccinations, your care home will be playing its part in protecting all residents and staff from catching and spreading the virus, as well as helping the national response to the pandemic. 11/05/21 New research suggests that one dose of either Oxford/AZ or Pfizer vaccine can prevent transmission of COVID-19 to other individuals by up to 50%. This evidence is reassuring and shows the vaccine can help keep you, your colleagues, and your service users safe. Remember: ➢ Vaccines are our way out of the pandemic. ➢ Strict approval processes mean that all approved vaccines are safe and are our best defence against the virus. ➢ The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 infection and will reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill. ➢ For every 20 vaccinations in the care home resident cohort, one death is potentially preventable. COVID vaccine booking arrangements for care staff – first dose appointments The National Booking System has reopened to health and social care workers. Care staff can use the National Booking Service to book a specific appointment at a wide range of vaccine centres in north London. Staff eligibility will be checked so please make sure you bring your work or photo ID and NHS number if you have it to the appointments. Staff can book a first dose online at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by calling 119. There are also local arrangements by NCL for social care and NHS staff to access vaccines, including drop in vaccination sites for staff of all ages. Please check the NCL Vaccination web link for more information. Staff who are under 40 should visit the NCL webpage to book an appointment at the Islington Business Design vaccine centre as this provides the Moderna vaccine. More information on why staff under 40 are offered an alternative to the AZ / Oxford vaccine is available here. We want to reassure all those who are eligible, that it is not too late to get the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccine. 11/05/21 COVID Vaccination for staff – second dose appointments Health and social care staff who were vaccinated through local authority arrangements are being encouraged to book their second vaccination dose. Staff should be contacted within 11 weeks of the first vaccination to book an appointment for a second dose. We will endeavour to offer the second vaccine dose at the same location as the first vaccination. If staff have not been contacted within 10-11 weeks, please consider the following: • If they have received the AstraZeneca vaccination (first dose) individuals are able to call 119 or visit NHS: Book Coronavirus Vaccination to book or rearrange their appointment. • If they had a Pfizer vaccination (first dose) and have not been contacted within 10- 11 weeks of their first vaccination to book an appointment for a second dose, individuals can contact [email protected]. They will need to include details of the date and location of the first vaccination. COVID Vaccination sessions for staff The public health team in Haringey continue to offer extensive support for staff who are hesitant about having the vaccine. We can offer the following: • COVID vaccine webinars with your staff • Attend staff meetings to answer questions about the vaccine • One-to-one sessions with a doctor working in public health for staff who may have personal concerns about the vaccine If you have any staff who would be interested in this initiative, or would like to request a webinar with your staff, please email [email protected] or [email protected] for further information. 11/05/21 COVID Vaccine Champions in health and social care London Borough of Haringey and Public Health team are looking to recruit COVID Vaccine Champions amongst staff working within adult social care settings in Haringey. The main role of this vaccine champion will be to initiate conversations with colleagues, service users and their families with confidence, understanding and empathy, to identify and help resolve any barriers to vaccination. The nominated COVID champion will be given the necessary training including induction, resources including FAQ packs, and practical support on how best to support their colleagues, clients and their families. Upcoming training sessions. • Wednesday 12th May, 7.30 - 9pm. Click here to sign up on Eventbrite • Thursday 20th May, 1-2pm. Please email [email protected] if you would like to sign up for this session. All participants will be issued a certificate of participation, which can be used as evidence of leadership/teamwork and will be renumerated for attending training sessions. Please share this advert with your staff and submit an email nominating 1 or 2 staff members for the position to [email protected]. COVID-19 vaccines and fertility One of the most frequently asked questions from care workers is whether the vaccine affects fertility. There is no evidence of this. The British Fertility Society has produced this leaflet to provide helpful information to share with your colleagues for their peace of mind. Meanwhile, further reassurance is provided in this joint statement from the Royal Colleges of Midwives, Obstetrics and Gynaecology. There is also a video produced by Public Health England on the COVID vaccines and fertility. Pregnancy and COVID Vaccination – new resources Recently, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) issued new advice confirming that all pregnant women should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the rest of the population, based on their age and clinical risk group. 11/05/21 There is a set of FAQs available if you or your staff have any further questions. Public Health England has also issued an updated leaflet. Visiting restrictions eased in care homes As part of step 3 of the roadmap, care home residents will be able to have more named visitors and more opportunities to make visits out with no need to self-isolate when they return.