Understanding Yellow Fever Vaccination Trends: Assessing Public Health Communication

Yellow fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, poses a significant health risk, particularly for travellers visiting endemic regions. In this blog, we will explore key insights from our Rare Vaccination Monitor regarding yellow fever vaccination trends. Supported by additional research, we delve into the intentions of travellers, gender disparities, vaccination rates, and public awareness. Join us as we evaluate the effectiveness of public health communication in reaching the target audience.

Intentions for Travel Vaccination:

The majority of individuals (78%) who plan to receive the yellow fever vaccine express their intention primarily for travel purposes. This further highlights the importance to raise awareness and promote responsible travel practices.

Gender Disparities:

Gender disparities are evident in yellow fever vaccination intentions for travel. While 30% of men plan to be vaccinated in the next 12 months, only 17% of women express the same intention. Addressing this gap requires targeted outreach and educational campaigns to empower women with knowledge about the importance of travel vaccinations.

Awareness of Booster Deprecation:

The yellow fever vaccination rate among the UK population in the last three months stands at approximately 3.5%. Surprisingly, despite the recent deprecation of the yellow fever booster by the WHO, only 29% of vaccinated individuals are aware of this updated recommendation. This finding emphasises the importance of disseminating accurate and timely information to the public. It is vital to ensure that healthcare providers, travel clinics, and public health agencies effectively communicate changes in vaccination guidelines to optimise protection against yellow fever and prevent unnecessary booster doses.

Evaluating Public Health Communication:

The statistics raise questions about the effectiveness of public health communication in reaching the target audience. Comprehensive campaigns utilising multiple channels, including social media, travel advisories, healthcare provider education, and community engagement, are necessary to improve awareness and knowledge about yellow fever prevention. Collaborative efforts between public health agencies, healthcare providers, and travel organisations can enhance the reach and impact of information dissemination.

Final Thoughts:

Understanding yellow fever vaccination trends provides valuable insights into the need for targeted communication strategies to reach travellers effectively. By addressing gender disparities, increasing vaccination rates, and ensuring accurate information dissemination, public health initiatives can improve yellow fever prevention. Collaborative efforts between healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers are essential to bridge gaps in knowledge, promote responsible travel practices, and protect individuals from this potentially life-threatening disease.

Find out more about our data and insights services by emailing us at hello@rare.consulting or calling us on 020 7859 4627.

Source: Rare Consulting. UK 18+ Data collected 2nd - 17th March (N=2,415). Data owned exclusively by Rare: Group.
Q15 - Please select diseases you have been vaccinated for, up until the last 3 months. - Yellow fever (N=2,410).
Q16a - Do you intend on being vaccinated for the purpose of travel in the next 12 months? Those intending on being vaccinated for yellow fever (N=96).
Q20 - Have you had or are you planning on getting a booster for the following diseases in the next 3 months? - Yellow fever (N=211).