Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to MMR Vaccine Uptake in Newham, East London: A Qualitative Study
1
Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University, London, United Kingdom
2
London Borough of Newham Public Health Team, London, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Opinions and decisions about the MMR vaccine are shaped by various factors and experiences, with uptake disparities across the UK. Newham is a deprived and ethnically diverse borough in East London, facing health inequalities and low MMR vaccine coverage. This project explores vaccine-hesitancy from the perspective of Newham parents, and barriers and facilitators to MMR vaccine uptake. These views aim to inform potential interventions to support parental knowledge and decisions about MMR vaccines.
METHODS:
Semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted with nine parents in Newham. The London Borough of Newham Public Health Team advised on recruitment strategies. All participants were mothers, had a child aged 4-16, lived in Newham, and spoke English. Data was analysed thematically, with the 3C Model of Vaccine Hesitancy applied to organise themes into complacency, convenience, and confidence.
RESULTS:
Six parents had given their children two MMR doses; three had declined at least one dose. Three parents supported MMR vaccines, four were hesitant, and two were against. Barriers included views about natural immunity (complacency); difficulty booking GP appointments (convenience); and concern about vaccine composition, negative experiences with COVID-19 vaccination, fear of side effects, and mistrust in healthcare professionals and government (confidence). Facilitators were related to confidence, including understanding the child’s immune system, belief in vaccine safety, and trust in healthcare professionals.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study generated diverse perspectives by including parents across the vaccine-hesitancy spectrum with contrasting views. MMR vaccine opinions may shift with time. Some parents who previously gave their children both MMR doses reported a more recent development of vaccine-hesitancy due to misinformation and mistrust, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants recommended educational leaflets and videos, conversations with healthcare professionals, and peer support groups to provide information, address concerns, and develop trust.
Opinions and decisions about the MMR vaccine are shaped by various factors and experiences, with uptake disparities across the UK. Newham is a deprived and ethnically diverse borough in East London, facing health inequalities and low MMR vaccine coverage. This project explores vaccine-hesitancy from the perspective of Newham parents, and barriers and facilitators to MMR vaccine uptake. These views aim to inform potential interventions to support parental knowledge and decisions about MMR vaccines.
METHODS:
Semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted with nine parents in Newham. The London Borough of Newham Public Health Team advised on recruitment strategies. All participants were mothers, had a child aged 4-16, lived in Newham, and spoke English. Data was analysed thematically, with the 3C Model of Vaccine Hesitancy applied to organise themes into complacency, convenience, and confidence.
RESULTS:
Six parents had given their children two MMR doses; three had declined at least one dose. Three parents supported MMR vaccines, four were hesitant, and two were against. Barriers included views about natural immunity (complacency); difficulty booking GP appointments (convenience); and concern about vaccine composition, negative experiences with COVID-19 vaccination, fear of side effects, and mistrust in healthcare professionals and government (confidence). Facilitators were related to confidence, including understanding the child’s immune system, belief in vaccine safety, and trust in healthcare professionals.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study generated diverse perspectives by including parents across the vaccine-hesitancy spectrum with contrasting views. MMR vaccine opinions may shift with time. Some parents who previously gave their children both MMR doses reported a more recent development of vaccine-hesitancy due to misinformation and mistrust, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants recommended educational leaflets and videos, conversations with healthcare professionals, and peer support groups to provide information, address concerns, and develop trust.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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