Join Our Survey on Vaccination Equity

Despite significant advancements in healthcare, including the development and widespread availability of vaccines, vaccination uptake and coverage rates across Europe continue to fall short of established targets. This discrepancy is particularly evident in the context of marginalised communities, such as the travelling community and newly arrived immigrants. Due to various social, economic, and logistical barriers, these groups often exist on the periphery of national healthcare systems. While these issues are widely recognised and have been the focus of numerous public health initiatives, another important segment of the population that significantly contributes to low vaccination rates remains unexplored.

In communities with mixed socio-economic backgrounds, individuals who are effectively underserved within their own environments pose a unique challenge to public health efforts. These individuals often do not conform to the general health behaviours observed in their communities, including adherence to recommended vaccination schedules. Their decisions to skip vaccinations are influenced by a complex interplay of factors that are not solely defined by their marginal status but are deeply intertwined with the dynamics of their immediate social and economic environments.

The reasons behind their health choices may include limited access to healthcare services, varying levels of trust in medical advice depending on their information sources, and the socio-economic and educational disparities within their communities. Whether they reside in urban, suburban, or rural areas, the accessibility and convenience of healthcare services can differ dramatically, not just between different types of communities but also within the same community among individuals of different socio-economic strata.

Addressing these disparities requires a nuanced understanding of how localised factors influence health behaviours. Effective public health strategies must go beyond broad coverage targets and address the specific needs of these under-vaccinated groups. Engaging in grassroots efforts to reach these individuals where they are, understanding their unique perspectives, and tailoring interventions to their specific circumstances could substantially enhance vaccination rates. This approach acknowledges the diversity of experiences within communities and seeks to reduce health inequities by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status or community type, have equitable access to vital healthcare services.

Survey Objectives:

Primary care physicians, including frontline pediatricians and general practitioners, are integral to community health networks. They engage with virtually all community members on a wide array of health issues, placing them in a unique position to observe and understand the many complex factors influencing health decisions within these populations.

National immunisation statistics often fail to capture the granularity needed to pinpoint precisely which local populations are under-vaccinated. Traditional metrics focus on broad comparisons, such as the disparities between the best and worst-performing geographical areas, but they overlook the nuanced differences among subgroups within these regions.

The primary objective of this survey is to delve deeper into these issues by collecting detailed insights directly from primary care physicians. We aim to focus on the pockets of low vaccination coverage within communities of mixed socio-economic backgrounds and to understand which factors contribute most to parents' decisions to avoid vaccinating their children or skip scheduled vaccinations. In addition, we aim to understand the dynamics among members of the same communities, with many deciding to follow the national immunisation guidelines and their physicians' recommendations while others, even though they live in the same community and may see the same physician, are not compliant.    

Child healthcare professionals are on the front lines of community health and have firsthand knowledge of community dynamics and parents' decision-making processes. The survey also seeks to gather perspectives from those responsible for grassroots community efforts on potential strategies to enhance vaccination uptake. This includes identifying practical support mechanisms that empower healthcare providers to reach under-vaccinated groups more effectively.

Equity in healthcare access within the same community is a complex issue that transcends mere geographical proximity to health services. Even when individuals live in the same area, their access to healthcare can vary dramatically due to a myriad of factors. It's essential to recognise that equitable access is not just about physical availability but also about the fairness and inclusiveness of health service delivery that meets the diverse needs of all community members.

We urge you to join us in this important initiative by completing the survey before 14 November 2024. Your input is crucial in shaping the strategies to reduce health inequities by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status or community type, have equitable access to vital healthcare services. Thank you for taking the time to share your views.

This survey was developed in collaboration between EIP and Pfizer.

Start the Survey here

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