“Leaving as an optimist”: building vaccine confidence and promoting preventive health in Southwark families
NHS South East London and local charity Flashy Wings Ministry joined forces to raise awareness and uptake of childhood immunisations in Southwark this summer. This initiative was supported through NHS South East London’s small grants scheme to reduce health inequalities and increase uptake of MMR immunisation among specific communities of interest, using neighbourhood-based initiatives.
Flashy Wings Ministry’s bid was approved to deliver breakfast meetings and lunchtime workshops for members of Southwark’s African and Caribbean community. The events set out to educate and reinforce confidence in the importance of vaccination, to build and restore confidence in vaccines by addressing myths around childhood immunisations; and to provide information and opportunities to get children vaccinated if required.
The events saw lively debates take place about vaccinations and other health and wellbeing topics, and were predominantly attended by women. 220 women between age of 25-55 attended eight breakfast or lunchtime workshops that were supported by health practitioners in an informal setting. 27 parents or carers opted to have their children (pre-school ages) vaccinated after the sessions, and six parents/carers chose to do so later.
Topics and questions discussed included:
- The importance of being up to date with vaccinations
- Vaccination options for children
- MMR vaccine
- Worries about children’s vaccines
- Are there any risks linked with vaccinations?
- Dispelling myths regarding childhood immunisation
- Self-care
Flashy Wings Ministry is a charity that promotes togetherness and community spirit. Through workshops, classes, conferences, coffee mornings, and recreational activities, they provide resources and advice on social, economic and personal issues including personalised energy, debt and bills advice. Their services are focused on empowering women and people from black and other minority ethnic communities in Southwark. They usually support families on low incomes, single mothers, refugees and migrants and provide support surrounding domestic violence and mental health.
Southwark has one of the lowest uptake rates for vaccinations in south east London, including childhood immunisation. Research suggests that institutional distrust has been a significant factor influencing vaccine decisions within Black African and Caribbean communities. This has contributed to low uptake of vaccinations, high levels of health inequalities and increased difficulty in accessing healthcare services in comparison to other ethnic groups in the borough.
The partnership project shows how giving parents and carers the right information in familiar settings can help contribute to a clear shift in attitudes to vaccines and vaccinations – from firm decliners/undecided to confident ‘yes’.
A volunteer from Flashy Wings Ministry said, “Our objective was to provide an experience that is enjoyable, interactive, relaxing, and empowering. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive; we observed a shift in responses from negative to affirmative. Many individuals clung to myths rather than facts regarding vaccination. Educating them and addressing their enquiries was crucial. I am proud to offer my time for this cause.”
Feedback from participants included the following:
“I dedicated time to attending every workshop to make informed decisions regarding vaccinating my children. After the third session, I proceeded with the vaccinations. The program was highly educational and empowering.”
“I still have reservation about vaccinating children, but I am open to more discussions than I was in the past.”
“I came to this workshop as a pessimist, now I am leaving as an optimist.
