A new study warns that although trust in vaccinations is high among those aged 50-70, understanding of vaccination is low for people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
The Royal Society for Public Health commissioned a poll of 1,508 adults between 50 and 70 years old. They have argued that the results show more work needs to be done in order to reach out to underserved areas, as well as to increase awareness about infectious respiratory diseases, especially at workplaces.
In general, the trust in vaccines was high. 86% of those aged 50-70 agreed that they are important for their health. Only 67% of people from non-white ethnic backgrounds said they understood how vaccines worked.
Just 37% of those aged 50-70 years are worried about influenza, and just 49% are worried about bacterial pneumonia.
The same low percentage of people (46%) are worried about respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), even though this virus can cause pneumonia and worsen chronic obstructive lung disorder (COPD).
These findings may indicate that people feel they can trust in vaccines, but they could also show a complacency concerning the dangers of these diseases.
The RSPH has highlighted that infectious diseases are a significant risk to adults and older people. For example, flu and pneumonia account for 8% all deaths among people aged 65 and over.
More than two thirds (68%) said that if they were offered a vaccination, the safety would be their top priority.
The report emphasized that it is important to understand public attitudes towards vaccinations and diseases in order to design vaccination programmes that are effective, reach the most people.
These programmes should reach people aged 50 to 70 years old using multiple communication channels, and with a special focus on communities that are underserved.
The RSPH called on the government to make vaccines more accessible, including in the workplace. Employees should be able to take time off to get vaccinated.
The importance of those who work with or support older people was also highlighted.
The society has warned that the publication of this report comes against the backdrop of a declining uptake of flu vaccines and the concerns of health leaders regarding the spread of misinformation about vaccines.
Next month, the NHS will begin offering autumn vaccinations. Appointments are available as early as 23 September.
William Roberts, RSPH Chief executive, said that vaccines are one the most successful preventative policies in public health. Every year, vaccines save millions of people’s lives. But their success depends on continued uptake.
“While it’s encouraging to see the overall trust in vaccinations is high, there’s still a lot to be done – especially when it comes reaching out to under-served populations. Vaccines play a crucial role in reducing health disparities.
“The most successful public health interventions are those that build trust and provide services where people live. We can all help to ensure that information is available about vaccine effectiveness, whether it’s at work or through our friends and family.
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Roberts said, “We urge those responsible for designing vaccine programmes to take into account the findings of this report.”
Moderna, a vaccines firm, funded the survey but the RSPH insisted that it did not have any editorial input on its content.
