Flu Vaccination Report

Summary: 

Between 18 October and 30 November 2018, our team visited community events, children’s centres, hospitals, libraries and social groups, engaging with 408 members of the public that met the flu eligibility criteria. We asked local residents questions regarding their uptake of the flu vaccine in the previous year, this year, and whether those who had not received the vaccine yet, planned to do so.

Key findings :

• 65% of over 65s that were sampled had already been vaccinated when we spoke to them.  With 68% of the remainder of the survey sample stating that they intended to have a flu jab.  However, we acknowledge that results cannot be generalised or verified as we were not able to follow up those intending to be vaccinated and have no way of knowing how many of our sample actually went on to receive the vaccination.
• 55% of eligible adults under 65 in our sample had already been vaccinated and 36% planned to be vaccinated when we met them.  Of those who had not already been vaccinated 9% were non-committal, and 55% stated that they did not want to be vaccinated.  
• 34% of parents in our sample stated that their children had been vaccinated and a further 42% had made plans for this to take place. However, we acknowledge that results cannot be generalised or verified as we were not able to follow up those in our sample intending to be vaccinated and have no way of knowing how many actually went on to receive the vaccine.
• The main barriers for not having the flu vaccination were:-  Belief that the flu jab had made either themselves or a close family member ill in the past.  Some felt that they were not vulnerable to flu. Some felt they should not have it for health reasons.