Childhood vaccinations

Anyone can find it hard to get vaccines, but some people may face more challenges. These include:

• People living in deprivation
  Those living in more deprived areas are less likely to get vaccinated. Of the 27 wards in Stockton-on-Tees, ten are among the most deprived wards in the country. Stockton also has the most deprived neighbourhood in the Tees Valley. People in these areas may have greater challenges with getting vaccines, for example, because they need to take time off work or pay for travel.

• Migrants
  Migrants are less likely to be fully vaccinated than other groups. This can be for many reasons. For example, they may not have their health records, so it is hard to know which vaccines they need. They will be offered vaccine by the NHS to cover these gaps.

  They may also not have enough information and may find it hard to ask questions if English is not their first language. Translators are sometimes available, but not always.

  They may also find the UK health system confusing and not know where to go to get vaccines.

• Ethnic minorities
  Those from ethnic minorities are less likely to take up pregnancy and childhood vaccines. Research in England found that pregnant women from ethnic minority groups were less likely to get the whooping cough vaccine than White British women. Research in England found that children whose mothers are from some ethnic minority groups, or whose ethnicity is not known, are less likely to be fully vaccinated than White British children.

• Religion or cultural beliefs
  There may be cultural or religious beliefs which prevent some people from accessing vaccination. Research has shown that around 1 in 10 adults who identify their religion as Muslim (11%) or Other (11%) are worried about getting vaccines.

• Care experienced children and young people
  Care experienced children and young people are less likely to have a complete vaccine record than other children living in the same area. This can be due to moving homes more often which may mean GP and school changes and missing vaccines. In Stockton-on-Tees 4 out of 5 children in care are up to date with their vaccinations.

• Those not attending school

  Research in the UK has shown home educated children may be more likely to miss out on vaccines as they are usually provided within schools. They are invited to community clinics instead.

  Some children who do not go to school, for example because of emotional issues, may miss vaccines. They are invited to get their vaccines at school or at local community clinics if they miss them.

• People with SEND
  Research in England has shown, those with special educational needs and disabilities have lower vaccination uptake. This may be because of not enough clear vaccine information, changes to their daily routine, or not having a parent or carer with them during school vaccinations.

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