Healthwatch Together (HWT): Covid-19 Vaccination Project Report
The purpose of this HWT project was to engage with seldom-heard communities and individuals, to gather their experiences of the Covid-19 vaccination programme, whether people chose to have the vaccination and factors which informed their decision.
The report outlines the feedback received from engagement, analysed by demographic group, which has been used to form a list of recommendations for the NHS to consider.
HWT used a range of methods to optimise the opportunities for people to participate in this project. In total 1,216 members of the public were engaged with, via 122 case studies, 46 focus groups and 596 online survey responses, to understand their views and experiences of the Covid-19 vaccination. More specifically, HWT had conversations with nineteen seldom heard groups, to ensure their views are taken into consideration when developing future vaccination programmes.
The main themes highlighted by this engagement were:
• Concerns about the lack of testing, research and information around the long-term effects, safety, and efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccine.
• Lack of consistent and accurate information and messaging.
• Concerns about the immediate side-effects of the vaccine.
• People were tired of discussing the topic or they did not trust that their opinion would be viewed as valid.
• Views that the booster doses of the vaccine were not necessary
• Pressure from family, media and government influenced people’s decisions, as well as the desire to travel, work and to attend social events.
• Accessibility issues regarding location and organisation of vaccination sites, language barriers, lack of suitable information formats and booking options.
After thorough analysis of themes and comments, HWT formulated a series of recommendations for NHS consideration. General recommendations for the geography of Lancashire and South Cumbria have been made, as well as more specific recommendations for each demographic reached.