Stockport has the highest Covid-19 case numbers in Greater Manchester, the borough’s Director of Public Health Jennifer Connolly has confirmed in her latest statement, where she also outlined plans for vaccination of secondary school-age children in the borough.
In her weekly statement, Jennifer Connolly noted that the rise in recorded Covid-19 infections was continuing to rise, and now stand at 457 per 100,000 (as of 24th September), with that figure rising to around 1,500 per 100,000 among 10-19 year olds. She said:
We have the highest rates in Greater Manchester and there has been a steep rise in the under 18s, with cases three times higher than the next highest cohort. With schools having recently returned, they are particularly high in the 10-19 age group which covers secondary school age children, with rates currently around 1,500 per 100,000.
“All secondary aged children should still continue to do lateral flow tests twice a week, as it’s the easiest way to help keep everybody safe, as many of the positive cases picked up have been asymptomatic or only having very minor symptoms. Tests are free and available here, to pick up at your local pharmacy or library or from the testing site at Fred Perry House. Isolating is you are positive is essential in breaking the chain of transmission.”
In line with the government’s announcement that 12-15-year olds would now be eligible to receive a vaccination, Stockport’s Director of Public Health also explained how secondary school-age children in the borough will be able to access the vaccine; Jennifer Connolly continued:
While pupils aged 16 plus and vulnerable 12 to 15-year olds have already been able to receive a vaccination from our pop up clinics or their GP for the past few weeks, we will begin to offer vaccination to all other children aged 12-15 from Monday, 27 September. The vaccination programme will run until Friday, 19 November, with a break for half term.
The decision to offer the vaccine comes on advice of the Chief Medical Officers that a vaccination programme for healthy children in this age group offers benefits for young people. It is also in line with advice from MHRA and JCVI that the vaccine is safe and effective. With children having faced so much disruption to their education over the past 18 months of the pandemic, every vaccination that we are able to give will provide benefits for a young person by putting them in a position where there will be less upheaval for them in schools, a reduction in ill health and will be good for their mental health and wellbeing. While children may well be less likely to suffer the more serious complication of catching Covid-19, the vaccination will help prevent the spread of the virus to more vulnerable members of the community, as well as mitigate their chances of suffering the serious effects of Long Covid.
The vaccinations will be administered in schools by the School Nursing Services, in much the same way as pupils already receive other vaccinations for flu, HPV or the Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio teenage booster. The 12-15 year olds will be offered one dose of the vaccine in-line with NHS and Government advice. We will be following guidance and ensure there is a seven-day gap between the Covid-19 and HPV vaccines. There is no need to have a gap between the flu and Covid-19 vaccinations.
An invitation letter and consent form is being sent to parents and carers by schools and they are being asked to return the completed document by half term. Invitation letters may go out at different times, so don’t worry if you haven’t heard from your school just yet, as they are being sent out in phases.
For those pupils unable to have their vaccination in school, including those who are home schooled, a dedicated vaccination clinic will take place during half term, with details to follow at a later date.
Parents would like more information can download a useful document with guidance.
A useful guide has also been published on gov.uk for children and young people aged 12-15 as well as a leaflet on what children can expect after their Covid vaccination.
Parents can also contact the School Nursing Service for advice and support about the vaccination programme on 0161 474 5912. Children can contact a text-based service, ChatHealth, on 07480 635227, where they can chat with a school nurse for confidential advice and support. This is not limited to questions about the vaccine.
Meanwhile, the wider vaccine programme continues with 84.8% of all aged 16+ now having received their first dose of the vaccine, and 79.5% of those aged 16+ having received both doses. If you haven’t yet had both doses of your vaccine, book yours online or attend a permanent offering at Trinity Church, Bramhall Lane, SK3 8TP, running from Thursday – Sunday every week. It really is important to get your protection from the vaccine, especially given how our rates are rising.
Jennifer Connolly concluded her statement be reiterating the importance of regular testing, ventilation other measures to help control the spread of the virus in the borough, she said:
Alongside vaccination, twice weekly testing continues to play a key role in helping keep COVID-19 spread reduced and to help protect others around you. Remember, you should only do a lateral flow test if you do not have symptoms and you have not been contacted by NHS Test and Trace. If you have a new, persistent cough, a high temperature or are experiencing a loss of taste or smell, please take a PCR test instead: these are available to order online. Similarly, if you are a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should take a PCR test rather than a lateral flow test, even if you have no symptoms, although you may no longer need to self-isolate (if you’re doubly vaccinated plus two week, or under 18 and 6 months, or have another exemption).
Remember, if you test positive it is essential to self-isolate for 10 days. Information on support during self-isolation can be found on our website. If you need to self-isolate and are finding this difficult, please phone our Coronavirus helpline on 0161 217 6046 You can also visit our website for more information on where to find help if you’re a vulnerable person.
As well as vaccination and testing, it is important to remember that we can all continue to apply the principles of hands, face, space and fresh air. Open windows and doors to ensure a room is well-ventilated, and always practice good hand hygiene by washing or sanitising your hands regularly and thoroughly.
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