Impact of an influenza information pamphlet on vaccination uptake among Polish pupils in Edinburgh, Scotland and the role of social media in parental decision making

Abstract

Background In Edinburgh, Scotland, lower influenza vaccine uptake has been observed in primary school children in the Polish community. Methods To address this disparity, the Polish-language version of the NHS Health Scotland influenza information pamphlet was updated and distributed in 2018 to all identified Polish pupils attending three pilot schools. The impact of the revised pamphlet was evaluated by examining changes in vaccine uptake in these schools as compared to a control group of schools, and a questionnaire was issued to all Polish parents in the pilot schools to explore their opinions of the pamphlet and preferred sources of immunisation information. Results On average uptake was 7.4% (95% CI 1.0–13.8%, p < 0.05) higher in the three pilot schools in which the Polish-language pamphlet was distributed (28.7%) than control schools (21.3%). The questionnaire feedback was that 37.3% of respondents felt better-informed about the influenza vaccine following the pamphlet. The respondents reported that the most important information source in deciding whether to vaccinate is previous experience. Healthcare professionals were ranked lower in importance when making a decision. Parents, who refused consent (n = 65) were more likely to source information from social media, friends and family, and Polish websites compared with those who consented (n = 45). Conclusions These findings suggest that issuing new Polish health literature was associated with a large increase in consent form return rate and a modest increase in uptake of the influenza vaccine by Polish pupils in the pilot schools. Social media and Polish websites were found to have a greater influence over Polish parents’ decision to immunise than UK healthcare staff and health authority information. Intensive effort is required to encourage parents towards information sources where more accurate pro-vaccination messages can be promulgated by national health services and independent expert groups. The role of social media for migrant communities requires careful consideration, especially for vaccine programmes not delivered in their country of birth.

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“…43 studies 8 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 addressed barriers to or facilitators of vaccine uptake. Access and acceptance were the most common themes, with awareness, affordability, and activation reported to a lesser extent.…”

“… 38 , 55 In the absence of translated or accessible information, migrants also turned to alternative and unregulated sources, such as Google, social media, friends, and family. 25 , 36 , 56 , 59 , 60 …”

Access to Vaccination among Disadvantaged, Isolated and Difficult-to-Reach Communities in the WHO European Region: A Systematic Review

“…Another study in the United Kingdom reported a slightly similar pattern in crude vaccine uptake across different years among Jewish and Muslim people [ 112 ]. Among minority and religious groups in general, including ethnic minorities, Roma, Jewish and Arab communities had lower vaccination coverage rates compared to the general (local) population [ 42 , 54 , 69 , 70 , 72 , 76 , 86 , 90 , 101 , 109 ]. Vaccination coverage by disadvantaged areas revealed significant variation and association between level of deprivation and uptake.…”

Defining the determinants of under-vaccination in migrant populations in Europe to improve routine and COVID-19 vaccine uptake: a systematic review

“…(35,52) In the absence of translated or accessible information, many migrants reported that they turned to alternative and unregulated sources, such as Google, social media, friends, and family. (22,33,53,56,57) ii. Practical and legal barriers to accessing healthcare and services Practical and legal barriers to accessing healthcare (whether perceived or real) and vaccination delivery models, meant that many migrants experienced exclusion and challenges accessing vaccination services.…”