Decision details

The Executive considered an overarching verbal progress report from the Strategic Director (RP), assisted by the Senior Environmental Health & Licensing Manager, together with a short presentation from the Corporate Policy & Research Officer, providing an update on the latest epidemiology statistics relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The following matters were raised during the verbal progress report/presentation:

In reply to a number of Members’ queries on the verbal progress update, the Senior Environmental Health & Licensing Manager undertook to:

·        clarify the position with regard to how and where in Stevenage Covid booster vaccinations were being administered; and

·        attempt to ascertain statistics relating to the correlation between flu and Covid booster vaccinations in terms of any increased risk of not being vaccinated for one or the other or both.

During the meeting, information was received stating that Robertson House was to start operating as walk-in facility for Covid booster vaccinations for the clinically vulnerable and Over 50s.  The Leader asked for details to be posted on the SBC website, together with information regarding the introduction of walk-in surgeries for 11 to 16 year olds offering them the opportunity to be vaccinated.

In relation to the epidemiology presentation, the following points were made:

·        Officers were requested to continue pressing for the visit of a mobile Covid vaccination unit to Bedwell Ward, in an attempt to improve the level of vaccine take up in that ward;

·        The Corporate Policy & Research Officer undertook to provide Members with some preliminary results in respect of national Antibody studies;

·        Professor Jim McManus and his Public Health Team had been recognised at the Pride of Stevenage Awards event by receiving the Judges’ Special Award for their excellent work throughout the Covid pandemic.  The Executive wished to record its own vote of thanks to Professor McManus and his Team, and also to the Hertfordshire Local resilience Forum for its commendable support role.

It was RESOLVED that the Covid-19 update be noted.