‘Why did nobody ask us?’, parents’ views on childhood vaccines: A co-production research study

Abstract

Abstract Background Inequalities in childhood vaccine uptake exist in the United Kingdom but previous surveys of vaccine attitudes have underrepresented parents of children with low vaccine uptake. We aimed to explore parents’ views and experiences of vaccinating their child and how the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted childhood vaccine attitudes. Methods We worked with Mosaic Community Trust, an ethnically diverse women's community group using a participatory approach to co-develop a questionnaire for parents with children aged under 10 years old. We targeted recruitment at parents living in the North-west London area, where vaccine uptake has been historically low and continues to be lower compared to regionally and nationally. The questionnaire was promoted through local community networks alongside targeted social media promotion. We then held four parents’ focus groups in 2023, co-facilitated by Mosaic. Results Between Jun-Oct 2022, 518 parents completed the questionnaire (64% UK born and 30% from ethnic minorities). Most parents (92%) believed childhood vaccines were important and 16% had delayed or refused a childhood vaccine. In both the questionnaire and the focus groups (n = 22), parents reported that lack of reminders and difficulties booking or going to appointments impacted uptake. They also wanted easier access to trusted health professionals to answer vaccine questions. In both the questionnaire responses and focus groups some parents reported that COVID-19 had changed their childhood vaccine views either highlighting their importance, increasing parents’ questions, or increasing mistrust. Conclusions Parents report practical barriers impact vaccine uptake including difficulties booking or attending childhood vaccine appointments. Parents should be offered easy access to trusted healthcare professionals to answer their questions about vaccines particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic which has negatively affected some parents’ views on childhood vaccines. Key messages • Parents want easy access to trusted healthcare professionals to answer their questions about childhood vaccination particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. • Parents report that difficulties booking & attending vaccine appointments are key reasons for late or missed childhood vaccination in the UK.