The COVID-19 vaccination programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria scooped a top prize at the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN) awards.

The team walked away with the Health and Equity Campaign award for vaccination outreach work in Caribbean and African communities in the region, at the ceremony in Manchester last month (22 October).

Consisting of representatives from the NHS, Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council as well as local voluntary and faith groups, they beat 74 other nominees to first place.

Following detailed research and engagement with the communities, the team put together a strategy which encouraged people in areas experiencing high vaccine hesitancy to protect themselves from COVID-19.

National research has shown the virus has had a disproportionate effect on these communities, making it increasingly important to receive enhanced protection.

In addition, the programme was also named as runner-up for the Voluntary Sector Collaboration award, recognising work in partnership with the Preston Windrush Initiative to increase uptake in the Caribbean population.

Naveed Sharif, vaccine inequalities lead for Lancashire and South Cumbria COVID-19 vaccination programme, said: “COVID-19 exposed and exacerbated health inequalities gaps. I am incredibly proud to lead a team that recognised those worsening inequalities as real negative impacts on real people – individuals, families and communities – not just a line on a spreadsheet.

“The team has worked incredibly hard and I’m delighted that this has been recognised by this award. Moreover, I am delighted that we have made strides in making our vaccination offer both accessible and acceptable to all in Lancashire and South Cumbria.”

Since January, Lancashire County Council has led a targeted vaccination programme, taking the vaccine to various spots across the county.

This outreach work has become an award-winning good practice and supplements the wider vaccination programme.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health at Lancashire County Council, said: "Ensuring that everyone has equal access to the COVID-19 vaccines has been a huge challenge, and it was crucial that we met this head on so the inequalities did not widen.

"The success of targeted vaccination work is the result of careful planning and coordination between the county council, the NHS, community pharmacy, community outreach teams and district councils.

"I am very proud of what we have achieved by working together, and proud that the hard work and dedication of our teams has once again been recognised."