In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, parents of the young children believe that vaccinations are more essential to contain infectious diseases, a latest study has showed.
A polling carried out by Opinion Matters for GSK found 45 per cent of the parents agreeing that vaccination would be an essential part of their lives than they were before Covid-19 outbreak.
The new finding has showed that the majority (73 per cent) of the parents were happy for their children to receive vaccinations during the current virus pandemic.
However, the GSK vaccine survey further noted that only 27 per cent of parents are now comfortable taking their child to a medical centre for vaccinations.
Dr George Kassianos, National Immunisation Lead at Royal College of General Practitioners and President of British Global & Travel Health Association, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been a very difficult time for the NHS, healthcare professionals, emergency services and social care, but also for parents and patients.
“General Practitioners and Practice Nurses have now ensured their premises are safe for children and adults to receive routine vaccinations. I would urge all parents of young children with outstanding immunisations, as well as adults, to contact their GP practice to arrange vaccinations.”
The survey has also found high favourability of vaccines, with 93 per cent of parents happy for their children to be vaccinated generally and 29 per cent more likely now than before the pandemic to take up vaccinations for their children or themselves.
Of the 73 per cent of parents who said they would be happy for their child to be vaccinated during lockdown, many were open to taking their children to non-traditional locations for vaccinations, if they were available.
Dr Philip Cruz, UK Vaccines Medical Director, GSK, said: “Parents are confident about the value of vaccines but there’s anxiety about attending medical facilities during the pandemic.
“As the NHS continues to deal with coronavirus, it’s important that parents feel confident in the safety measures put in place by medical centres, in line with Public Health and infection control guidelines.
“It could also be interesting to continue to explore innovative and untraditional locations for vaccine-delivery. Now is not the time for children to miss scheduled immunisations.”
The survey also found that 81 per cent of the respondents trusted the NHS as a source of information about vaccines either completely or to a great extent.
“Health professionals were the second most trusted source of vaccine information at 78 per cent. Celebrities were the least trusted sources of information with only three per cent of respondents saying they trusted them completely or to a great extent,” the survey said.
Parents who were not happy for their children to be vaccinated during the outbreak said they were most concerned about exposing their family (67 per cent) or themselves (42 per cent) to Covid-19.
