COVID-19 Insight Report - A snapshot of views from people using the COVID-19 vaccination bus

During May and June 2021, Healthwatch Wiltshire attended the Covid-19 vaccination bus on three occasions. This specially adapted bus is a mobile vaccination clinic that has been touring areas of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire. It aims to provide the vaccine to those who are eligible for it, but unable to travel or are hesitant and would like to speak to a medical professional about it. They wanted to gather a snapshot of the views of those using the bus, about the vaccination and their experience of using other health and care services during the Covid-19 pandemic. In total they spoke to 51 people. 

The vaccination bus appears to be an effective way of providing the vaccine to people who have not previously taken it up for a variety of reasons. These reasons relate to both practical barriers, as well as feelings of ambivalence or hesitancy about the vaccine. They also found that the bus reached those who may be disadvantaged in terms of being able to access the vaccine through the usual booking system. It was also evident that the bus was being used by those who could have accessed the vaccine earlier but had not due to initial doubts about it. As this group had seen more vaccine take-up, this led to a change in their views and the bus then presented an opportunity for them to now access the vaccine.

The report contains two recommendations.