Reducing the risk: Improving vaccine uptake across at-risk groups in the UK
About
The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the importance of immunisation in preventing disease outbreaks and protecting public health. In particular, safeguarding those who are most at risk from the adverse effects of COVID-19 has become a crucial priority. Yet while uptake for the COVID-19 vaccine has been high amongst clinical risk groups, uptake for other routine vaccinations remains low.
In England last year, for example, flu vaccine uptake among at-risk groups was far below the WHO Regional Office for Europe target. Pneumococcal vaccine uptake is also concerningly low among clinical risk groups. As such, finding solutions to increase uptake across clinical risk groups and preventing potential excess morbidity and mortality is crucial.
Through conversations with at-risk people, condition-focused charities and medical experts, our latest findings highlight the current practices, barriers and potential solutions associated with routine vaccination.
These discussions have informed our final report, as well as a recommendations guide aimed at equipping charities with ideas on how to encourage routine vaccine uptake, which can be found in the Publications tab.
This project has been commissioned by MSD.
Blogs
19/08/2021
Removing all restrictions today won’t end COVID-19 tomorrow – Why we need to be cautious and pragmatic with the next steps of the pandemic
Blog by: Patrick Swain, ILC
For many people in England, 19 July couldn’t have come soon enough. With the government going ahead and lifting all major COVID-19 restrictions, today marks the start of a return to some form of normality: a life without masks, social distancing and other measures to keep coronavirus at bay. But what does this really mean for the future of the pandemic in the UK?
23/03/2021
One year on from lockdown: Why we need to continue the conversation about vaccines beyond the COVID-19 pandemic
Blog by: Patrick Swain, ILC
A year ago today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered a speech which marked the beginning of the UK’s first national lockdown. Millions of people were ordered to stay at home to suppress the spread of COVID-19, in order to save lives and stop the NHS from becoming overwhelmed. Life ever since has become unrecognisable.
Yet one year on, and thanks to the marvels of medical science, over half of UK adults have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. There is finally light at the end of a very long and arduous tunnel.
Past events
Report launch: Reducing the risk – improving vaccine uptake across at-risk groups in the UK
Date: Tuesday 21 September 2021
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm BST
This event was chaired by Arunima Himawan, Research Fellow at ILC.
Speakers included:
- Andrew Lane, Chair, National Pharmacy Association
- Christina Marriott, CEO, Royal Society for Public Health
- David Green, Nurse consultant for immunisations, Public Health England
- Doug Brown, Chief Executive, British Society for Immunology
- Jenny Lippiatt, Professionals and Practice Programme Manager, Age UK
- Orin Lewis OBE, Co-Founder & Chief Executive, African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust
- Patrick Swain, Research and Projects Officer at ILC and report author
Six mock-up ideas to help increase vaccination uptake in at-risk people
In our good practice guide, we outlined six ideas that could be replicated by charities and other organisations to help encourage people with underlying health conditions to get vaccinated. These include:
1. “Dispelling misconceptions” mock-up
2. “Risk of catching flu” mock-up
3. Checklist mock-up
4. Personalised reminder mock-up
5. Pharmacy leaflet mock-up
6. Signposting vaccine locations mock-up
Download the full set of ideas here.
We want to hear from you
If you would like to get involved in this project or have any questions, please contact Patrick Swain.