Why people in the UK aren’t getting travel vaccines
With the rise of globalisation, travelling has become more accessible and affordable than ever before, allowing people to explore new cultures, cuisines and landscapes. However, despite the growing number of UK residents travelling abroad each year, there seems to be a lack of awareness about the importance of travel vaccines and the diseases they protect us from.
Types of diseases
Depending on the destination, many countries require specific vaccinations for entry to ensure that their health and the health of others aren’t put at risk from serious health issues like malaria, yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever and meningococcal meningitis.
If we were to look at yellow fever, we know that 77% of the UK population hasn’t had or doesn’t intend on getting vaccinated. However, this could be due in large to the fact that yellow fever is found in tropical areas of Africa, South America and parts of the Caribbean - areas that may not be considered as a typical holiday destination for British travellers.
If we were to look at diseases that are common in more traditional destinations, our research shows that only 1 in 10 people in the UK are aware of the consequences of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). TBE is a viral infection that can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, leading to long-term health problems. It is spread by tick bites and is prevalent in many parts of Europe, including popular tourist destinations like Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Why aren’t people getting vaccinated?
So why aren’t more people getting vaccinated before travelling?
One reason could be a lack of awareness about the importance of travel vaccines. Many people may assume that they do not need vaccines if they are travelling to a developed country but this is not always the case. Even in developed countries, there may be specific risks that travellers need to be aware of. For example, in the UK, cases of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by tick bites, have been increasing in recent years.
While some vaccines are available on the NHS, others are not and can be expensive. This could be a potential barrier for people in the UK, as it’s another element they will have to factor in when putting their budgets together for their trip.
There can also be a lot of misinformation spread about the safety and importance of vaccines, which can be easily accessed through the internet or social media, with 16% of those intending to be vaccinated for travel considering social media as a source of information. With this information found so readily, it can have a strong influence on people’s attitudes and behaviour towards vaccination.
How manufacturers and HCPs can help
To combat this lack of awareness, it's essential for manufacturers and HCPs to educate the public about the importance of private travel vaccines, through campaigns, videos or other media outlets. By utilising these marketing tools, they can effectively communicate the risks associated with travelling without proper vaccination.
It’s important for manufacturers to ensure that they are keeping medical professionals up-to-date on their products and provide educational material that they can use to better inform their patients before travelling abroad.
Final Thoughts
In order to ensure that people in the UK are getting the right vaccinations when travelling, there needs to be more awareness raised about the diseases, where they are found and the options available to prevent catching a disease - particularly for countries that are considered more developed.
Making private travel vaccines more accessible is also an important factor, so highlighting exactly where people can get their vaccinations from and how easy it is, will help to encourage people to do so.
With proper education and awareness campaigns, manufacturers can encourage more people to get vaccinated before embarking on their trips.
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