New Survey Finds More Than Two Thirds of Adults May be Missing Out on Vaccinations

Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) citing immunisation as one of the most powerful and cost-effective interventions in public health,^[1] a new survey conducted by Ipsos MORI and sponsored by GSK Vaccines in Brazil, Germany, India* Italy and the United States finds that 68 percent of adults are not up-to-date with the vaccines recommended for them.

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/598079/GSK_Vaccines_Parents.jpg )

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/598076/GSK_Vaccines_Grandparents.jpg )

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/598075/Overall_healthcare_professional_results_Infographic.jpg )

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/598074/Overall_general_public_results_Infographic.jpg )

Findings from the Vaccinate for Life survey of 6,002 adults aged 18 years and over, carried out across five countries also found that:

• 15 percent of adults believe that vaccinations are only recommended for children and/or babies with 21 percent thinking they are only needed for travel purposes.
• Almost 3 in 10 adults report not having had any of the vaccines potentially relevant to them within the past five years.
• 60 percent of adults say they have not received public health information on the importance of adult vaccinations**.

"Although mostly associated with childhood, vaccination is not something you outgrow," said Susanna Esposito, Full Professor at the University of Perugia, Italy, and infectious disease specialist. "As we age, so does our immune system and we become more susceptible to infectious diseases which could be prevented through vaccination. It is important that HCPs are aware of the possible benefits of adult vaccination and discuss it with their patients."

Findings from the Vaccinate for Life survey show that when asked to consider why they are not up-to-date, people cite lack of recommendations and/or discussion from their doctor or nurse about the need for vaccines in adult life. They say that they would find a range of information sources useful to help them understand, record and track the vaccinations which may be relevant to them.

"Vaccination throughout life can help protect and contribute to the wellbeing of individuals families and communities," said Dr. Thomas Breuer, Chief Medical Officer, GSK Vaccines. "What the Vaccinate for Life survey shows us is that adults need more information on the vaccines relevant to them to help them be more proactive in discussing their vaccination needs with their healthcare professional."

Other key findings from the Vaccinate for Life survey include:

• Public opinion on value of vaccinations: the study shows a difference in public opinion surrounding the value of keeping up to date with vaccinations throughout adult life, with 26 percent of adults agreeing that this is not something which they consider to be of value.
• Prioritisation of other health services: 53 percent of adults surveyed agree that although achieving a healthy lifestyle is important, they are more likely to prioritise other health services over vaccination.

Notes to Editors 

About Vaccinate for Life 

Vaccinate for Life is a global campaign to improve awareness of the importance of vaccination throughout life and encourage more conversations between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and their adult patients about what vaccinations may be available. To find out more about the Vaccinate for Life campaign, please visit gsk.to/vaccinateforlife.

About the Vaccinate for Life Survey 

Vaccinate for Life General Public Survey 

The 'Vaccinate for Life Survey' was carried out between July 6^th and September 14^th  2017 via an online survey of adults aged 18 years and over, with an achieved sample of 6,002 respondents, from five countries (Brazil, Germany, India, Italy and the United States). The sample size in each market was as follows:

   
                     Brazil     Germany     India     Italy     United
                                                                States
 
    General Public     1000        1000      2002      1000       1000

Important note on sample definition by market 

In four of the five markets (Brazil, Italy, Germany and the United States) the sample was collected according to the following sample specifications:

• Respondents must be aged 18 years or over.
• Quotas were placed at time of recruitment to ensure that the total sample achieved is nationally representative in terms of Age, Region and working status.
• A bias towards females (60 percent vs. 40 percent males) was applied however the data was subsequently weighted to represent national statistics.

In India the sample was collected according to the following specifications:

• Respondents must be aged 18 years or over.
• The total sample of n=2002 was recruited from six cities only; Mumbai (n=429), Delhi (n=418), Bangalore (n=404), Kolkata (n=244), Chennai (n=280) and Hyderabad (n=227).
• A bias towards females (60 percent vs. 40 percent males) was applied however the data was subsequently weighted to represent national statistics.

In all markets a quota sampling approach was used.

The aggregate data at a five market (multi-country) level has been weighted to give each country an equal weight in the total and thus remove any bias caused by the sample being disproportionately larger in India versus the other 4 markets.

* Data for India is based on 6 cities only (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad) 

** Question asked in India, United States, Germany and Italy 

Vaccinate for Life HCP Survey 

The 'Vaccinate for Life Survey' was carried out online between July 16^thand August 25^th  2017 with an achieved sample of 1,351 respondents, from across three countries (Brazil, Italy and the United States). The criteria for inclusion were that potential respondents must provide a current adult vaccination service, i.e. vaccines for people aged 18 years and over or advise on current adult vaccination services. They must also have between 3 and 30 years' experience as a practising HCP. The type of HCP selected to survey across the countries depended on the specialty responsible for adult vaccinations. An honorarium was offered to HCPs in all countries for participating. The sample composition in each market was as follows:

   
                      Brazil     Italy     United
                                            States

    PCPs                                       501
    Pharmacists                                500
    GPs                  100       100
    Hygienists                      50
    Practice Nurses       50
    Pulmonologists &      50
    Obstetricians     
    Total               200       150        1001

Important note on comparing total data/country differences 

Variations in the sample composition across the three markets means that caution is needed when interpreting findings at a total level and drawing comparisons between countries, specifically those relating to current vaccination services and patient populations i.e. Q1A-Q1C and Q7. Caution also needs to be taken when interpreting the data shown at a total level and drawing conclusions due to the significantly larger sample of HCPs surveyed in the United States.

GSK - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit http://www.gsk.com.

References 

1. World Health Organization (WHO). World Immunization Week 2017. http://www.who.int/campaigns/immunization-week/2017/event/en/. (last accessed October 2017).

GSK Global Media Enquiries:

Sara Webber, +32(0)478-96-36-32

SOURCE GSK Vaccines