Report on Childhood Vaccination Challenges and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Recent findings indicate that parents face significant obstacles in vaccinating their children, including difficulties in booking appointments and a lack of reminders about necessary vaccinations. Child health experts emphasize that these practical and logistical barriers, rather than vaccine hesitancy, are the primary reasons for declining vaccine uptake. This decline has led to outbreaks of preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough in the UK.

Vaccination Uptake and Its Impact on SDGs

Since 2022, no childhood vaccine in the UK has met the World Health Organization’s target of 95% coverage, essential for protecting vulnerable populations. This shortfall undermines progress towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages by preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Addressing disparities in vaccine access among poorer families, ethnic minorities, and migrant communities.

Identified Barriers to Vaccination

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) conducted a year-long investigation revealing that vaccine hesitancy is only part of a complex issue. The main barriers include:

• Difficulty contacting GP surgeries to book appointments
• Challenges in obtaining time off work for vaccination appointments
• Limited transportation options and lack of parking at GP surgeries
• Inconsistent care providers leading to lack of trust
• Inability to consult healthcare professionals about vaccines
• Absence of reminders for upcoming vaccinations
• Lack of clear information on vaccination schedules

These barriers contribute to lower vaccination rates, particularly affecting vulnerable groups, thus impacting SDG 10 by exacerbating health inequalities.

Recommendations for Improving Vaccine Access

The report advocates for several measures aligned with SDG 3 and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) to enhance vaccination uptake:

• Utilization of NHS digital applications to streamline appointment booking
• Investment in expanding vaccination services and infrastructure
• Funding health visitors to support vaccine delivery and parental engagement
• Finalizing and implementing the “digital red book” for parents to track their children’s vaccination status

Stakeholder Perspectives and Future Actions

Health officials and experts highlight the importance of these initiatives:

• Dr. Julie Yates, Deputy Director for Immunisation Programmes at UK Health Security Agency, emphasizes plans for flexible booking systems and wider vaccine availability to improve access across communities.
• Alison Morton, Chief Executive of the Institute for Health Visitors, underscores the necessity of protecting children from serious diseases to prevent unnecessary harm.
• Professor Helen Bedford of University College London calls for investment in staff and infrastructure to safeguard children’s right to protection from preventable diseases, noting recent deaths from whooping cough linked to declining vaccination rates.

Global Context and SDG Alignment

The decline in childhood vaccination is a global concern, with nearly 16 million children worldwide unvaccinated in 2023, predominantly in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. This global challenge directly relates to:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Reducing child mortality and combating communicable diseases worldwide.
2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Encouraging international cooperation to improve vaccine coverage globally.

Conclusion

Addressing the practical barriers to childhood vaccination is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health, equality, and infrastructure. Coordinated efforts involving digital innovation, healthcare investment, and community engagement are essential to reverse the decline in vaccine uptake and protect children from preventable diseases both in the UK and globally.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on child vaccination, vaccine uptake, and preventing outbreaks of diseases such as measles and whooping cough, which are directly related to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article highlights inequalities in vaccination rates among poorer families, ethnic minority groups, and migrant communities, emphasizing the need to reduce disparities in health access and outcomes.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The recommendation to develop digital tools such as the “digital red book” and improve NHS apps for booking vaccinations relates to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation in healthcare delivery.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
   • Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable diseases and provide access to affordable vaccines.
   • Target 3.3: End epidemics of communicable diseases such as measles and whooping cough by increasing vaccination coverage.
2. Under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, or other status.
3. Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Vaccination Coverage Rates
   • The article mentions that no childhood vaccine in the UK has met the WHO target of 95% vaccination coverage since 2022, implying the use of vaccination coverage percentage as a key indicator.
2. Incidence of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
   • Outbreaks of measles and whooping cough are cited as consequences of low vaccine uptake, implying disease incidence rates as indicators of progress.
3. Access and Utilization Indicators
   • Barriers such as difficulties booking appointments, lack of reminders, and limited transport options imply indicators related to healthcare service accessibility and utilization.
4. Digital Health Tool Usage
   • The development and use of the “digital red book” and NHS apps for vaccination booking imply indicators measuring digital health tool adoption and effectiveness.
5. Equity in Vaccination Rates
   • Differences in vaccination rates among socio-economic and ethnic groups imply indicators measuring disparities in health service coverage.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: bbc.com