Report: What parents told us about childhood vaccinations

Childhood vaccinations protect against serious illnesses, but uptake has been falling across England. Parents in Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire told us their decisions aren’t just about science - they’re shaped by trust, personal values and how easy it is to get an appointment.

What did people tell us?

Parents described four big influences: trust and authority; parenting and morality; risk and uncertainty; and how easy it is to access services. We also spoke to resettled and military families.

Resettled families

Parents who had lived in countries with compulsory vaccination often assumed UK vaccines were mandatory. Trust in clinicians was strong, but unfamiliar systems and language could be barriers.

Military families

Families described challenges linked to mobility and continuity of care when relocating, which can disrupt appointments and record transfer.

Based on feedback from families, we have made a number of recommendations to increase vaccine uptake. Download the full report below.