Case studies

The NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Covid Vaccination Programme, which incorporates local government public health representation, has set up an inequalities sub-group to its strategic board, which has been looking at those that are a particular risk of not taking up the vaccine. 

The Government announced that surge testing was to take place in Norfolk on Tuesday 16 February.  The testing started the following day focussing on the market towns of Diss and Roydon, which are home to around 10,000 people. 

Ealing Council was among the first wave of councils asked to do surge testing after a case of the South African variant that could not be directly linked to travel was identified.

Hertfordshire was part of the first wave of eight council who were asked to carry out surge testing from February. One case of the South African variant that could not be linked back to travel had been identified.

Walsall council used mobile testing and adapted their approach to reach different groups.

Manchester City Council introduced mobile testing units in five locations across the two areas and an asymptomatic rapid testing site at Moss Side Leisure Centre was converted into a PCR testing site.

Surge testing started in parts of Bristol and South Gloucestershire in February after 11 cases of the UK variant with E484K mutation were identified as part of routine sampling.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenge to local government. The Communities team at Essex County Council set up Essex Coronavirus Action Support Group (ECAS) alongside the Essex Public Health team, and in partnership with community Leaders.

Cornwall used this winter’s flu vaccination programme, which for the first time involved people aged 50 to 64, to test out the concept of mass vaccination centres.

The council has worked closely with the local community since the start of the vaccination programme to encourage good uptake.