Changing parental perceptions to childhood immunisations during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: evidence from three cross-sectional surveys between 2020 and 2022.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Childhood immunisation rates in the UK have recently fallen to their lowest level in 14 years. However, there is limited temporal evidence on how parental attitudes have evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic, restricting our understanding of its broader impact. This study explores trends in parental confidence in childhood immunisations between 2020 and 2022 across the UK and how socio-demographic predictors of vaccine perceptions have shifted over time.

Methods

This study draws on data from three nationally representative, cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2020, 2021 and 2022 including 14 720 adults responsible for decisions on childhood vaccination. Multiple logistic regression assesses changes in reported childhood vaccine refusal over time, by region, soci

SUBMITTER: Thistlethwayte R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12666036 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature