Childhood vaccinations
Other factors that have an impact
COVID-19 pandemic
It is thought that COVID-19 vaccines saved over 1.6 million lives between December 2020 and March 2023. Research in the UK found that there were a range of attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines. Some people accepted vaccines because they were concerned about the risk of catching COVID-19. Others were less likely to take up the offer of a COVID-19 vaccine because of mistrust of vaccines and institutions and worries around long term effects.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, less people in Stockton-on-Tees got their vaccines. Since then, the uptake of some vaccines is back to normal, but not all. Overall, fewer people are getting vaccines.
In workshops in Stockton-on-Tees in 2023, some people said they did not fully trust the COVID-19 vaccine. For some, this led to less trust in other vaccines. They worried about safety and side effects, which may make them less likely to get vaccines.
Information and misinformation
Misinformation is the spread of false information. In 2024 the World Health Organisation noted misinformation as a risk to people's health worldwide.
In workshops in Stockton-on-Tees in 2023, many people were able to spot false information about vaccines, but some still believed it was true. For example, some people believed that vaccines could give you the illnesses they protect against.
To tackle misinformation, it is important that parents and young people can access information that makes sense to them. People in the workshops said they did not always get clear or helpful information.
Accessing vaccines
Pregnant women and parents can find it hard to get to vaccine services. This can be because appointment times are not flexible and booking systems can be confusing. When vaccines are given at hospital or GP practice, patients may need to pay for travel, which can make them less likely to go to their appointment.
