A recent survey from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows most parents in England have a positive view of the childhood immunisation programme and rank healthcare professionals as their most trusted source of information, despite more reporting seeing negative and misinformation around vaccines on social media and the internet.
The 2023 annual parental attitudinal survey from UKHSA found that 89% of parents agree that vaccines work; 84% agree that they are safe; and 82% that they are trusted.
The overwhelming majority of parents say that NHS resources (85%) and healthcare professionals (86%) are their most trusted sources of information. These sources rank higher than online sources, friends and family and TV and radio.
While 83% of parents felt their baby would have all vaccines offered before they spoke to a health professional, following a discussion with a health professional, 14% changed their mind in favour of vaccination.
To ensure the World Health Organization’s target of 95% uptake of childhood vaccinations is reached, it’s vital to retain parental confidence and trust in the programme. While confidence remains high for the NHS vaccination programme, the survey did report an increase in those who reported seeing information that made them concerned or worried about vaccines on social media.
To help support parental confidence and remind all parents of the importance of childhood vaccines to help give children the best start in life, the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England continue to work closely together, with the recent launch of a national marketing campaign encouraging parents to get their children protected, alongside an operational catch up campaign being run by the NHS for those who have missed vaccines.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at UKHSA, said:
The recent survey shows that most parents have confidence and trust in the NHS childhood vaccination programme and it’s reassuring to see that 86% of parents say that NHS resources and healthcare professionals are their most trusted sources for information.
It’s completely natural for parents to have questions on vaccines and our survey shows just how important healthcare professionals are in ensuring parents get to know the facts around vaccination and the devastating diseases they protect against. I urge any parents who have concerns or questions about vaccines to speak to their GP, midwife, health visitor or other trusted healthcare worker or visit nhs.uk for the latest advice and answers to common questions.
All parents want to do the best for their children – ensuring your child receives all their vaccines on time is one of the most important things you can do to help give them the very best start in life.
Steve Russell, NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening, said:
Vaccination is one of our most important tools to save lives and prevent disease. It is great to see that the NHS and our amazing staff are the source most people trust for information about what they and their family need, and what to expect from vaccination.
It is never too late to have this conversation to help you and your family make an informed choice. Anybody who wants to discuss what vaccinations they are eligible for should contact their GP practice.
