What influences people to get vaccinated privately in the UK?

As the NHS continues to struggle with overwhelming waitlists and under-funding, people are beginning to look to private healthcare providers for all aspects of their health, including private vaccinations. Although some of our vaccines are available on the NHS, the need for private vaccines is growing within the UK for various reasons, from requiring vaccines for travel to personal health reasons. 

What are the key influences to pay privately vaccinated

Although private vaccines are starting to grow, some people may still be reluctant to pay by private means for something they may think they can get for free on the NHS. But what are the key influential factors that encourage people to pay themselves?

Pricing is a key influence in deciding whether to pay for a vaccine, with the cost of vaccinations affecting one in two respondents of our private vaccine survey. This highlights the potential need for cost transparency and financial options that can offer flexibility for people, especially with the cost of living crisis still having an impact on lives. 

Over half of respondents from our survey agree that efficacy of vaccines (56%) and quality of care (57%) are also an influential factor in paying for a vaccination, therefore it’s important to consider this in communication with patients. 

Why people are getting vaccinated

Now that we've looked at the key influences of paying for a vaccination, we can look at what the key motivators are for those getting vaccinated - why would they consider it? 

The top reasons people in the UK would get vaccinated are for safety and concerns over their own health and wellness, which isn’t too much of a surprise. Perhaps following the COVID-19 pandemic this has likely heightened people’s awareness of vaccinations. 

What sources of information do people use

There are many options available to the general public now, which means they have easier access to information about different vaccines. Although it is great that people are able to learn about the types of vaccines available to them, there is also concern about what information they are consuming and whether it is correct.
However, 62% of the UK population state that they will use the NHS/Government website for official sources of information when considering getting a vaccination, which proves that credible sources are still key for people. 

Friends and family also play an important role when it comes to getting vaccinated, as 30% of respondents would discuss their options with people they know well and make an informed decision based on their friends/family thoughts. Therefore, ensuring that people are always informed and educated about their options through word of mouth is important.

Social media isn’t as widely used as the above sources, with only 9% of people using platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok as a credible source of information. 

Final Thoughts

It’s clear to see that safety and quality of the vaccines are key influential factors to getting vaccinated privately, as it’s all about priortising their wellness for long-term health benefits. However, pricing can play an influential role as well, so it’s important to think about how the messaging for private vaccines is communicated and positioned to people. 

Find out more about our data and insights services by emailing us at hello@rare.consulting or calling us on 020 7859 4627.