Millions more people could safely and swiftly be protected against coronavirus if councils are able to act shoulder-to-shoulder with the NHS in the distribution of vaccines, the LGA has said.
GPs are initially expected to provide at least one million vaccine doses each week across 1,500 practices and drive-through centres – a ‘monumental’ task, which the LGA believes is too big for the NHS to do on its own.
Instead, civic centres, sports halls, libraries, athletic stadiums, car parks and other council-owned facilities could be brought into rapid use alongside mobile testing units, to support the health service and GP surgeries in making sure as many residents as possible are immunised.
Health visitors, school nurses, occupational health teams alongside other public health workers employed or commissioned by councils could also help administer the vaccine.
The LGA said councils have an excellent track record of building up and strengthening existing national programmes, such as setting up more than 200 local contact tracing partnerships to complement NHS Test and Trace.
Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “The Government and NHS must start working closely with councils’ directors of public health now so they can help co-ordinate the rollout and use their local knowledge and expertise to ensure residents can be immunised quickly.
“Just as with contact tracing, councils’ unique relationship with their residents mean they are best placed to make sure as many as possible can receive a potentially life-saving vaccination.
“Vulnerable people, older adults and health and care workers who have been prioritised by government are more likely to quickly receive these vital doses with encouragement from trusted local leaders, through their local public health teams, who know best how to reach them.”