Mobile vaccination unit boosts autumn programme with community clinic launched by Alliance for Better Care

Our latest collaboration with Alliance for Better Care showcases the power of mobile solutions to address declining vaccination rates head-on. EMS Healthcare deployed the vaccination clinic in just two days. This rapid deployment ensures that communities are reached early in the season, before winter illnesses peak.

Laura Nash, EMS Healthcare’s Head of Outreach Development, explains:

"Mobile clinics are designed to meet people where they are, making vaccinations as accessible as possible. By partnering with Alliance for Better Care, they are able to reach patients who may otherwise miss out, helping to reverse the downward trend in vaccination uptake."

Responding to declining vaccination rates

As winter approaches, health services across the UK face a significant challenge increasing vaccination uptake amid declining rates. Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) highlights a worrying drop in vaccination rates for the 2023/24 flu season. Key findings include:

• Uptake among clinical risk groups fell from 49.1% in 2022/23 to 41.4% in 2023/24.*
• Vaccination rates for those aged 65+ dropped from 79.9% to 77.8%.
• Only 32.1% of pregnant women received their flu vaccine, compared to 35% the year before.**

These declines raise concerns about the potential for a harsher winter, with increased risks of flu and COVID-19 hospitalisations, particularly among vulnerable groups. To counter this, the ‘Get Winter Strong’ campaign, launched by the UKHSA and NHS England, urges all eligible people to get vaccinated against flu, COVID-19, and, for the first time, RSV and whooping cough for pregnant women.

The role of mobile clinics in increasing access

This project builds on the success of similar initiatives across the UK, where mobile clinics have proven effective at increasing vaccination rates. 

Cheshire and Wirral NHS Foundation Trust: Since mobilising the Living Well buses they have provided 23,500+ COVID-19 vaccinations, 1,200+ routine immunisations and 948 Flu vaccines. With 3 self-drive units, their NHS staff drive to locations and provide on-the-spot vaccinations, physical health checks, wellbeing, and mental health support. Just last week, this unit in Frodsham (see image right) had lengthy queues, with local people waiting for on-the-spot vaccinations in their local supermarket carpark.

Locala Community Partnerships CIC: The unit provides a variety of services to marginalised communities: sexual health; GP clinics and wound care for people experiencing homelessness, and childhood immunisations. Drop-in sessions by the immunisations team in Kirklees schools, resulted in over 130 children receiving more than 250 vital immunisations in total, with 60% saying they would not otherwise have accessed vaccinations.

NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB: The deployment of a mobile clinic meant that more people were protected from COVID-19 than anywhere else in the South-East. The uptake level in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight was 65.7%, the highest across the region, and the fifth highest across the country. Dr Matt Nisbet, Clinical Lead for the Covid Vaccination Programme said: "Our roving vaccination vehicle was also launched this spring in partnership with and supported by Hampshire County Council. It has helped us reach members of our local communities who may not have otherwise come forward."

Supporting winter’s health challenges

With respiratory infections rising and cold weather imminent, EMS Healthcare’s mobile vaccination units are a powerful tool to tackle the decline in vaccination uptake. Our solutions provide additional capacity where healthcare services need it most, from hospital estates to the heart of local communities.

By making vaccines more accessible, especially for at-risk populations, we aim to boost uptake and alleviate the pressure on the NHS during the busy winter months. Working with organisations like Alliance for Better Care, we can make a real difference in keeping communities safe and healthy this winter. 

Need to deploy quickly? Call our team and we can support with increasing vaccination uptake in your community this autumn: 0151 350 1590.

*Source: UKHSA Flu Vaccine Uptake Report, 2023-24