The 'Attitudes to Adolescent Vaccination 2019' survey from the Public Health Wales indicates that more than 90 per cent of teens and their parents in Wales trust vaccines and believe that they work.
Over 300 interviews were conducted with teenagers aged 13 to 15 years and their parents to explore their attitudes towards adolescent immunisation and understand their awareness regarding vaccines and preventable diseases.
Key findings from the report were as follows:
- Ninety per cent of teenagers and 95 per cent of parents believed that vaccines work.
- Ninety-three per cent of teenagers understood the importance of being vaccinated.
- Ninety per cent of teenagers and 91 per cent of parents said they trusted vaccines.
- Eighty-seven per cent of teenagers and 90 per cent of parents believed vaccines to be safe.
- Sixty-nine per cent of teenagers and 77 per cent of parents believed that all vaccinations represent a lower risk than the associated disease.
- 91 per cent of teenagers and 97 per cent of parents reported never disagreeing on getting vaccinated.
- More than 80 per cent of teenagers who were offered a vaccine said they were happy with the process and had received adequate information regarding vaccination.
Anne McGowan, a Nurse Consultant at Public Health Wales, said: "The report is very positive news, finding high levels of confidence around vaccination. It shows that the vast majority of Welsh parents and teenagers really understand the importance of vaccines in stopping the spread of preventable diseases."
