LGA responds to Covid autumn winter plan

“This plan could help see us through this difficult period, with contingency measures in place to help prevent the NHS from coming under unsustainable pressure. It will be vital that Directors of Public Health, working in councils, should also have all the support and tools they need to respond to any local outbreaks."

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Responding to the Government’s COVID-19 autumn and winter plan, including offering booster doses of coronavirus vaccines to older and vulnerable people, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:

“COVID-19 remains a serious public health threat and protecting our older and most vulnerable people is councils’ number one priority, especially as we head into what will be a challenging autumn and winter.

“This plan could help see us through this difficult period, with contingency measures in place to help prevent the NHS from coming under unsustainable pressure. It will be vital that Directors of Public Health, working in councils, should also have all the support and tools they need to respond to any local outbreaks.

“Councils stand ready to support the NHS in the roll out of a booster vaccination programme, including using their unique local knowledge to help contact and prioritise all those who are eligible.

“This should include making it as convenient as possible to receive a jab, such as at walk-in clinics and mass vaccination centres, in addition to GP surgeries.

“These arrangements should be rolled out to also ensure people can receive their flu jabs at the same time, to maximise uptake and provide the best possible protection.”