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Nearly one in five under-25s may decline Covid vaccine, survey suggests

Nearly one in five under-25s may decline Covid vaccine, survey suggests

Almost one in five under-25s do not intend to have the Covid vaccine, according to research from healthcare app myGP.

The findings of two behavioural studies among more than 2,600 under-25s revealed that 17.7% of participants will decline to be vaccinated – a fall of 3% since March.

Reasons for not wanting the jab included scepticism about how quickly the Covid vaccine was developed and tested; worry over the potential long-term side effects; and concern about the risk of vaccination in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Participants also cited negative reactions to previous vaccinations, and believing they were not at risk from Covid because of their age, as reasons for turning the vaccine down.

This comes as Public Health England (PHE) published data showing that people in their 20s now have the highest rate of infection of any age group since mass testing began at the start of the pandemic, with nearly 1,155 cases per 100,000 people.

Dr William Budd, clinical research physician at Imperial College, urged young people to seek reliable information about the vaccine before making a decision, adding that ‘the best way to get accurate answers is to speak to a healthcare provider, whether it’s your GP or a member of the team in the vaccination centre’.

The NHS yesterday (25 July) also issued a ‘vaccine rallying cry’ to young people to come forward and be vaccinated.

It said that ‘anyone yet to get their jab, particularly young people, [should] come forward and take up the offer to protect themselves, their friends and family’.

Some 88% of the adult population has now had a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while more than 70% have had both doses.

From August, patients in England will be able to direct specific questions about their Covid vaccine record to a new dedicated service, details of which will be provided by NHS digital in due course.

A version of this article was first published by Pulse’s sister title Management in Practice


          

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READERS' COMMENTS [3]

Please note, only GPs are permitted to add comments to articles

Vinci Ho 28 July, 2021 9:44 am

Interesting figures ( as I was anticipating)
I think it is imperative for us to understand these young people why they will or will not choose to be vaccinated. This pandemic will inevitably pave the way of how history writes itself in this early part of 21st century . In fifteen, twenty years time , they becomes the main drive force of our society/country. How they come out from this historic time now will undoubtedly have far reaching ramifications on our culture , values and virtues…….

terry sullivan 28 July, 2021 11:20 am

under 25s do not need these jabs

Patrufini Duffy 28 July, 2021 10:29 pm

Be not worried. They’re having a great time.