Alison While
The emergence of the latest waves of COVID-19 in the UK and abroad confirm that the pandemic has not been conquered yet. We can also expect a major resurgence of respiratory viral illnesses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whose incidence was much reduced by social distancing and lockdowns during the past 2 years (Academy of Medical Sciences, 2021). Many young children are now catching up on ‘missed’ respiratory illnesses as they attend nurseries, playgroups and other social settings. This will make them vectors of infection for their grandparents and parents. Uptake of the seasonal influenza vaccine will be crucial to reducing the seasonal influenza winter ‘wave’ and its impact on hospital admissions.
There are various reasons why people are vaccine hesitant (While, 2021a), and it may be the case that, having taken two COVID-19 vaccinations, some are reluctant to receive the third booster vaccine or the annual seasonal influenza vaccine. It will require the NHS and its staff, in addition to persuasive information campaigns, to promote yet another mass vaccination effort during the autumn, so that as many of the potentially vulnerable population are protected prior to the inevitable upsurge in circulating respiratory viruses. While (2021b) discussed evidence-based strategies in which community nurses may participate to promote vaccination acceptance, thereby ‘Making Every Contact Count’ (Public Health England, 2016). This includes role modelling the acceptance of recommended vaccinations so they may claim to ‘walk the walk’ as well as ‘talk the talk’ when discussing the benefits of vaccination with clients.
Particular sensitivity will be required to coax those fearful of SARS-CoV-2 (Coelho et al, 2020) to plan their return to social engagement, although a full return to a pre-COVID-19 life might not happen until the actual and perceived risks feel manageable. However, the mental health toll requires equal attention to that given to other health needs if the longer term consequences of the pandemic, including social isolation and loneliness, are to be minimised. A range of services, such as psychological therapies and community support, are accessible through primary care.
Unfortunately, about 10% of those who have had COVID-19 experience prolonged symptoms (Ladds et al, 2020). Long COVID comprises ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 (4–12 weeks) and post-COVID-19 syndrome (12 weeks or more) (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2020) and may occur in hospitalised and non-hospitalised patients. The NICE (2020) guideline sets out the importance of accurate assessment, diagnosis, treatment and multidisciplinary rehabilitation, with embedded shared decision-making alongside information sharing and continuity of care.
Hopefully, by this time next year, the pandemic will be waning and life will have returned to pre-COVID normal, albeit with the inevitable differences one might expect due to the passage of time, changes in preferences and technological development. In the meantime, encouraging the uptake of recommended vaccinations will be an important role for community nurses.
‘It will require the NHS and its staff, in addition to persuasive information campaigns, to promote yet another mass vaccination effort during the autumn, so that as many of the potentially vulnerable population are protected…’