Factors influencing vaccine hesitancy among United Kingdom adolescents in a senior high school environment and actions to address it
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We explored adolescent viewpoints on vaccines and hesitancy using an anonymized, validated, self-completed electronic questionnaire amongst state-school Year 12–13 adolescents in London, UK. As the response rate was low (Cohort 1; n = 112/486, 23.0%), we repeated the survey with incoming students (cohort 2, n = 256/275; 93%). A focus group (n = 31) evaluated international HPV campaign posters. Cohort 1 participants were 82.1% female, 13.4% male, and ethnically diverse (32.1% Asian/Asian British, 29.5% Black/Black British, 25.9% White, 7.1% Mixed); Cohort 2 were 80% female, 18% male, with participants identifying as 38% Black/Black British, 34% Asian/Asian British, 15% White, 12% Mixed/Others. Across both cohorts, participants believed childhood vaccinations were safe (Cohort 1 = 95.8%, Cohort 2 = 91%). COVID-19 vaccination uptake was higher in Cohort 1 than 2 (76.8% vs 67%), with fewer participants believing it was adequately tested (56.3% vs 47%). Support for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers (HCW) was high (Cohort 1:77.8–79% “all” vs “patient-facing HCWs;” Cohort 2 = 62–64%). Similar patterns were observed for mandatory influenza vaccination (Cohort 1: 62.5–66.7%; Cohort 2: 62–63%). Vaccination decisions in Cohort 2 were primarily influenced by parents (96%), healthcare providers (48%), and school friends (36%) (Cohort 1 = 30.2%, 19.6%, and 12%, respectively). Recommendations by doctors, experts and parents (but not politicians) and school-based vaccine availability boosted vaccine confidence. Social media had minimal impact. Most participants received HPV vaccine (Cohort 1 = 83.1%, Cohort 2 = 77.2%). International HPV posters received strong but mixed support; direct design input from the target group is needed to ensure the success of visual vaccine promotions.
Date Issued
2025-12-01
Date Acceptance
2025-03-02
Citation
Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, 2025, 21 (1)
ISSN
2164-5515
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Group
Journal / Book Title
Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics
Volume
21
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40066692
Subjects
London
Vaccine hesitancy
adolescent
beliefs
determinants
vaccine uptake
Humans
Male
Female
Adolescent
Vaccination Hesitancy
Surveys and Questionnaires
COVID-19
United Kingdom
COVID-19 Vaccines
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Schools
Vaccination
Students
Papillomavirus Vaccines
London
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
United States
Article Number
2475599
Date Publish Online
2025-03-11