New technology has been introduced in England to help clinicians identify a new group of people who may be at high risk from coronavirus.
The technology analyses a combination of risk factors based on medical records, to assess whether somebody may be more vulnerable than was previously understood, helping clinicians provide vaccination more quickly to them and ensuring patients can benefit from additional advice and support.
For the first time, over 800,000 adults will now be prioritised to receive a vaccine as part of the current vaccination cohorts. The assessment is made possible today for the first time thanks to new technology and emerging evidence about the impact of coronavirus on different groups and who could be most vulnerable – which means further steps can be taken to protect those most at risk.
The research found there are several health and personal factors, such as age, ethnicity and body mass index (BMI), as well as certain medical conditions and treatments, which, when combined, could mean someone is at a higher risk from coronavirus.
The University of Oxford turned their research into a risk-prediction model called QCovid®, which has been independently validated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and is thought to be the only coronavirus risk prediction model in the world to meet the highest standards of evidence and assurance.
Up to 1.7 million patients have been identified. Those within this group who are over 70 will have already been invited for vaccination and 820,000 adults between 19 and 69 years will now be prioritised for a vaccination.
Sarah Wilkinson, chief executive of NHS Digital, said: “I’m very pleased that NHS Digital has been able to deliver the platform to allow the QCovid® model to be used to identify individuals vulnerable to Covid-19 as a result of combinations of clinical risk factors and personal characteristics.
“This extends the work we did last year to develop the Shielded Patients List, which included individuals with one of a number of specific clinical conditions. It is a privilege to be able to support the Chief Medical Officer and his team in their quest to deliver the most sophisticated COVID-19 risk prediction capability.”
Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, said: “For the first time, we are able to go even further in protecting the most vulnerable in our communities. This new model is a tribute to our health and technology researchers. The model’s data-driven approach to medical risk assessment will help the NHS identify further individuals who may be at high risk from Covid-19 due to a combination of personal and health factors.
“This action ensures those most vulnerable to Covid-19 can benefit from both the protection that vaccines provide, and from enhanced advice, including shielding and support, if they choose it.”
