Covid 19 Vaccination Services for Children and Young People in East Sussex

Healthwatch East Sussex report undertook deliberative engagement with children and young people between September 2021 and January 2022, on the theme of young people’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations. They spoke to 45 children and young people.

Most young people knew something about the vaccination service. Their main sources of trusted advice were family, NHS website and college. Most knew what vaccinations their group was entitled to. 

Nearly three quarters found it easy to book their vaccine appointment. Most young people felt that the layout of the vaccination site was clear. Most people felt comfortable during the appointment and felt that staff were professional.  Most were given some aftercare advice.

Young people’s main motivations for getting vaccinated were to protect vulnerable people close to them, to protect themselves and to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

There were some issues with access to vaccination locations, including needing to get a taxi. Closures of different walk-in centres in East Sussex, including the shuttering of the Mothercare site in Eastbourne, has made access harder for young people to receive their vaccine.

Young people were concerned about the truth within information that can be unofficially circulated on social media platforms about COVID-19, vaccinations, and the wider pandemic.

Young people understood the important role of parent/carer consent in medical procedures and treatments, including vaccinations. However, they were concerned and suggested that adults can also be ‘irresponsible’ and may not make an informed choice which will help protect their child from COVID-19.

Young people were concerned about being asked if they were pregnant before having a vaccination.  They understood the clinical and medical significance of this question and why it needs to be asked. However, they were concerned that this could out young people as being sexually active to parents/carers/relatives who might be at their appointment with them, as well as to friends or locals who might be within earshot in a mass-clinic. This could cause distress or worry for them.

Young people had a lively discussion about vaccinating in schools, and concluded that it is worthwhile, including the prospect of vaccinating in primary schools, to ensure that protection and immunity is established from a young age. But there needed to be choice of venue.

Young people suggested that primary school children should be receiving a COVID-19 vaccination to ensure that they are best protected from a young age

They had suggestions to make as to how to improve uptake of the vaccine, including mythbusting, strategies that recognise the role of friendship groups, weekend appointments, more accessible information, young Ambassadors and Champions, support with transport, targeted youth work and more positive media coverage.

The report concludes with a discussion about how to promote vaccination in schools and colleges.

The report contains 30 recommendations.