Issue - meetings
Childhood Immunisation Task Group
Meeting: 12/04/2010 - Executive (Item 7)
7 Childhood Immunisation Task Group PDF 77 KB
The Childhood Immunisation Task Group report has been considered and agreed by the Health Select Committee. This report presents the task group’s work to the Executive for approval.
Additional documents:
- PRU ChildhoodImmunisationAppA_NHSResponse, item 7 PDF 88 KB
- PRU Childhood ImmunisationAppB_TaskGroup, item 7 PDF 327 KB
Decision:
(i) that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed;
(ii) that the task group members be thanked for their work.
Minutes:
Councillor John (Task Group Chair) introduced the task group report which had been considered and agreed by the Health Select Committee. It had been found that the take up of vaccines in the borough was relatively low, particularly for MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and the task group had investigated possible causes for this and how it could be improved. She regretted the significant level of prejudice among some professionals and the media, felt that this needed to be confronted with scientific evidence and was pleased that the task group’s work had been welcomed by the Brent PCT. Councillor John referred to the rigorous safety testing carried out under World Health Organisation’s international standards for vaccines and the need address knowledge gaps and provide training for front line staff especially in GP surgeries and children’s centres. Schools also needed assistance in encouraging the take up of the papilloma virus vaccine designed to help prevent pre-cancer disease of the cervix and evidence showed that parents wanted advice from health visitors.
In discussion, Councillor Wharton (Lead Member, Children and Families) welcomed any assistance that could be given to children’s centres. In response to a view that some parents some had reservations over MMR vaccinations and should be supported in asking for single jabs, Councillor John responded that risks were associated with this method and prevention was the preferred and safest option. The Executive agreed the recommendations in the report.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed;
(ii) that the task group members be thanked for their work.