Immunisation

Tuesday September 28th 2010, Guoman Charing Cross Hotel - London, 09:00 - 14:05 (half day)

Immunisation: Working Together to Protect the Nation

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Overview

The National Vaccination Programme, led by the Department of Health, is crucial in protecting the nation against diseases; it covers a range of vaccines from measles to cervical cancer. The former government spent around £150-200 million per year on the childhood vaccination programme and one of the challenges of the new government is to run programmes that protect people’s lives whilst being cost effective.

The swine flu pandemic saw an unprecedented demand for vaccines; however, the latest figures show that fewer than 3.8 million people have been vaccinated. In order to mitigate against the risk of a resurgence of pandemic flu in 2010, the new government will have to push for a wider take up of H1N1vaccine amongst clinical risk groups such as; pregnant women and health care workers.

Last year saw an increase in measles, with 1,144 reported cases (source: Health Protection Agency). Although cases remain low, reaching the Department of Health’s 95% target of achieving herd immunity for those who have not been vaccinated is essential. Reducing health inequalities will be crucial in overcoming some of the barriers that prevent people accessing vaccinations and will ensure the target is reached.

The coalition government has set out their plans to reduce health inequalities and protect people's health. They will do this through a number of measures, which include:

Giving local communities greater control over public health budgets with payment by outcomes they achieve in improving the health of local residents
Incentivising GPs to tackle public health outcomes
Investigate ways of improving access to preventative healthcare for those in disadvantaged areas to help tackle health inequalities

Protecting older people against diseases and viruses is important in securing them a better quality of life. Shingles affects approximately 250,000 people in the UK every year; it can cause many to have debilitating nerve pain. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended a vaccine for those aged 70-79, but said that more work needs to be done to make sure the vaccine could be bought more cost effectively. A vaccine could save money currently being spent on extra care for those affected.

In this period of financial constraint, delivering sustainable, effective and efficient immunisation programmes is more important than ever. To achieve this there must be targeted approaches involving PCT’s, local councils, pre-school and education services to maximise the uptake of immunisations, tackle health inequalities and deliver value for money.

Agenda

This forum will provide delegates with an opportunity to debate and discuss the progress of current immunisation programmes and explore future plans. You will hear leading policy makers and thinker’s thoughts and plans to protect people and communities against disease.

09:00	Registration and Coffee
09:30	Chair’s Welcome Address Professor Jon Friedland, Chair, Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Division of Investigative Science, Imperial College London (CONFIRMED)
09:40	Creating an Integrated Approach to Immunisation Protecting the nation against disease: The National Vaccination Programme – Progress and next steps The Green Book – Providing information on immunisation Developing effective public health strategies that target individuals of all ages for immunisation Protecting older people against disease and infection The role of UK R&D in developing and delivering vaccines for the World’s poorest country’s The role of social marketing in encouraging vaccination up-take The MMR vaccine – Reaching the 95% uptake required, how can this be done? Pandemic flu – Where do we stand? Professor David Salisbury, Director, Immunisation, Department of Health (CONFIRMED)
10:00	Reducing the Incidence and Consequences of Infection of Vaccine Preventable Disease Monitoring infectious diseases in the UK Improving the uptake of MMR in children older than 5 years Carrying out enhanced measles and rubella surveillance Ensuring clarity with PCTs about respective roles in immunisation Sero-epidemiology programme Protecting girls from cervical cancer Immunisation training Professor Andrew Hall, Professor of Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London and Chair, Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI) (CONFIRMED)
10:20	Minimising the Impact of Re-Emergent Pandemic Flu Need for a rapid response Ensuring the UK is prepared to minimize health, economic and social harm Liaising with the pharmaceutical industry to develop vaccines to meet future needs Making strong business continuity plans Ensuring take up of vaccinations in high risk groups Education - Raising awareness of the importance of handwashing and of using tissues Professor John Watson, Director, Respiratory Disease Department, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections (CONFIRMED)
10:40	Question and Answer Session
11:00	Coffee and Networking
11:25	Reducing Health Inequalities: Increasing Uptakes of Vaccinations – Salford PCT Background – Salford is the 5th most deprived area in the North West Continual increase in primary vaccination from 91.7% to 96.2% MMR1 vaccine uptake has risen from 84.9% to 95% Influenza vaccine in the population aged 65 has increased from 71% to 74% Using NICE guidance Ensuring herd immunity Installing confidence in vaccination programmes Overcoming cultural resistance to vaccinations Addressing the factors which affect uptake of immunisation Ensuring quality services are commissioned, monitored and delivered Jean Mullineux, Head, Health Protection, Salford PCT (CONFIRMED)
11:45	Maximising Uptake of Immunisation- targeted approaches The importance of parental responsibility Immunisation programmes – Who should take action? The importance of Information systems The role of nurseries, schools and further education colleges Can social marketing increase the uptake of vaccinations? Targeting groups that are at risk of not being fully immunized Hepatitis B immunisation for infants Dr Helen Bedford, Senior Lecturer, Children’s Health, Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, University College London (CONFIRMED)
12:05	The Role and Importance of GPs in Vaccination Programmes History of GP involvement in vaccinations Recent successful childhood vaccination programmes Importance of trust in primary care professionals Strengths of primary care delivered vaccination programmes Identifying areas for improvement Dr Anthony Harnden GP, Principal and Senior Lecturer in General Practice, Moorland House Surgery, Wheatley and Department of Primary Health Care, Oxford University (CONFIRMED)
12:25	Reducing the Risk of Future Infection Maintaining funding levels to protect the nation Running immunisation and vaccination programmes nationally Establishing clear lines of accountability from a local level to central government – Providing an integrated response to outbreaks of emergent or re-emerging infectious diseases. Implementing ‘Health Premiums’ to incentivise and reward improvements in public health and health inequalities Supporting industry to develop new vaccines and also supporting the economy Rt. Hon Stephen Dorrell MP, Chair, Health Select Committee (CONFIRMED)
12:45	Question and Answer Session & Chair's Summary
13:05	Lunch and Networking
14:05	Close

*programme subject to change without notice

Exhibitors

Pfizer

Glaxo Smith Kline

Novartis

Audience

Delegates attending this forum will include PCT's, NHS, health authorities, central and local government, education, social care and business sectors specifically; commissioning directors, heads of procurement, research and development managers, heads of innovation and development, social care directors, communication & marketing directors, , project directors, heads of PCT’s, directors of public health, HR managers, health and wellbeing mangers, chief nurses, head teachers, heads of health charities.