'Living with COVID-19 Plan'
Latest guidance - September 2022
Locally, Trafford saw an increase in Covid-19 rates over the summer 2022, however, the rates have now declined and are levelling off. As we enter the new school year and approach the autumn/winter, I wanted to provide you with some key information to reduce the risk of flu and covid in our school.
- Immunisation, infection control and support from the Trafford Public Health Team
What are the plans for autumn/winter vaccinations?
The autumn Covid-19 booster uses a next generation, bivalent vaccine.
Covid-19 autumn/winter boosters are available to:
- all adults aged 50 years and over
- those aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women
- those aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- those aged 16 to 49 years who are carers
- residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
- frontline health and social care workers
Appointments will be available via the National Booking Service: nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or find a convenient walk-in clinic: nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/
At present, Trafford are unaware of any school-based vaccination programme.
Flu vaccinations are initially available to:
- pre-school children (aged two or three)
- primary school children (reception to year 6) – this is delivered in school
- adults 65 years and over
- people in clinical and immunocompromised groups from the ages of six months to 65 years, including pregnant women
followed by:
- all adults aged 50 to 64
- close contacts of immunocompromised people
- secondary school children in years 7, 8 and 9 - this is delivered in school
Intrahealth will be conducting their Flu immunisations at Woodheys on Monday 7th November 2022 (Further information and online consent forms will be sent out in due course).
Vaccines remain the most important and effective way that we can protect ourselves and others from becoming seriously ill. Please continue to support your staff and pupils to access vaccination when offered.
Infection prevention
It remains important to follow good infection prevention and control measures as it helps to reduce the spread of illnesses within your school setting:
- Hand washing* is one of the most important ways of controlling the spread of infections, especially those that cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting and respiratory infections
- Prompt exclusion of children, young people and staff who are unwell with an infectious disease
- Covering the nose and mouth during sneezing and coughing
- Keeping settings clean, including equipment, it is especially important to clean surfaces that people touch a lot
- Letting fresh air into indoor spaces can help remove air that contains virus particles.
Symptoms
Most people can no longer access free NHS testing for Covid-19. However, we appreciate that some individuals are continuing to test.
Symptoms of Covid-19, flu and common respiratory infections include:
- continuous cough
- high temperature, fever, or chills
- loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
- shortness of breath
- unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
- muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
- not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
- headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
- sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick
Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.