Hampshire County Council Hampshire Local Outbreak Engagement Board Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillor House

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

The minutes of the meeting on 12 October 2021 were reviewed and agreed

No requests to make a deputation had been received

The Chairman had no announcements on this occasion.

The Board received an update from the Director of Public Health setting out the current position in terms of infection rates and hospitalisations within Hampshire. It was noted that there was a direct correlation between vaccine uptake, infection rates and serious health outcomes. This meant that younger age groups were currently more severely impacted, however eligibility for boosters had been extended and vaccine promotion was proving successful. The Board discussed ways in which the vaccine would be promoted to school age children, as well as changing policies regarding the appropriate gap between vaccines and the significance of virus transmissibility and severity.

It was resolved to note the update.

On this occasion the actions of the Director of Public Health were incorporated into the Outbreak Control Position Report.

The Board received an update on communication activity relating to the

pandemic, noting how this had been related to recent cultural events and continued to revolve to keep fresh and maintain engagement. Messaging relating to vaccines and pregnancy was discussed as was the response to the Omicrom variant. It was recognised that upcoming priorities centred on vaccine boosters and testing for Christmas social events.  

It was resolved to note the communications update.