YouthLink Scotland was commissioned by Public Health Scotland and funded by Scottish Government to explore why some young people are missing from vaccine services.
Over 800 young people and 15 parents and guardians across Scotland shared their views with us through a national survey and focus groups across six youth work organisations including Hawick High School, Aberdeenshire Council, Passion4Fusion, One Community Scotland, Go! Youth Trust and YMCA Tayside.
Key findings included:
- Young people are most aware of the flu vaccine
- Schools and health centres are important spaces for having and learning about vaccines
- 69% trusted healthcare professionals (in the NHS) to provide them with information and would like any campaigns to be delivered by them.
- There are fears and anxiety about having vaccines, particularly in relation to needles and side effects.
- Young people are looking for trustworthy, relatable information and reassurance about vaccine benefits and safety.
- They believe that campaigns in schools (69%) and on TikTok (53%) would be most effective.
- The campaigns should include honest communication about the consequences to themselves and others, positive vaccine experiences, that vaccination is voluntary, accurate information including side effects and providing reassurance about safety and the use of the needle.
- Young people would like some practical changes as to how vaccines are administered including safe, private spaces rather than in school halls. They would also appreciate reassurance and distractions.
- A key takeaway from this research is that young people have clearly shared that they want more information from trustworthy sources. They don’t want to be patronised; they want to understand the benefits and the risks of taking vaccines
