Joint efforts to tackle COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in North Tyneside are paying off.
North Tyneside Council’s COVID-19 Support Hub and recently-established contact tracing team is working alongside NHS colleagues to contact residents who have been invited to have their vaccination but have not accepted.
The team has been talking to them to identify any reasons for this and any barriers to overcome in order to help them take up the life-saving jab.
So far more than 350 people have been booked in for their vaccine following the support from the team.
Wendy Burke, North Tyneside’s Director of Public Health, said: “This is a fantastic example of our excellent partnership working with colleagues from the NHS to identify any issues with vaccine uptake and hesitancy and finding ways to overcome them.
“Our Support Hub has helped many residents throughout the pandemic and continues to be there for anyone that needs help, particularly those that need to self-isolate through our team of contact tracers who are supporting the national NHS test, trace and isolate effort.
“A trusted local voice with local knowledge is really valued by our residents and is making a difference.”
Some of the reasons people had not taken up their vaccination invite include moving away or they had already booked in using the national system but many others had chosen not to due to issues around IT literacy, telephone skills and anxiety.
The Support Hub team were able to address these issues and make the booking for them.
In some cases people had decided not to take the vaccine over various fears around safety. The team were able to provide reassurance and answer queries or signpost to expert medical advice.
Dr David Tomson, a GP at Collingwood Surgery and Clinical Director for North Shields Primary Care Network, which runs the vaccination centre at The Parks Sports Centre in North Shields, said: “I’m really pleased that through our great local partnership working and networks we have been able to address concerns among some about the vaccine.
“It really is vital that we all take up the offer when invited to get the vaccine so that we can overcome this virus, help protect our most vulnerable and continue to ease out of restrictions and lead some sort of normal life again.”
Meanwhile, the VODA Community Champions programme also continues to share important information with communities, including vaccine myth-busting and encouraging people in all communities to take the vaccine.
