Exploring Covid-19 Vaccine Confidence in Low Uptake Areas and Populations in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire

The project, commissioned by the NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in collaboration with Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, aimed to gain greater insights into Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy in lower uptake areas and specific populations in Cambridge City, Peterborough City and Fenland, to inform ways of enhancing confidence and vaccine take-up. The evidence confirms findings from international literature showing that vaccine hesitancy is a complex phenomenon in which a number of factors contribute to vaccine hesitancy or confidence. Evidence from community members in particular show that vaccine hesitancy should be viewed on a flexible continuum in which their views are not fixed. The current study identifies that while diverse groups of people have specific needs, their attitudes towards vaccination are not necessarily determined by the group they belong to. The study shows that there is evidence of community liaisons, local authorities and NHS staff having used a multi-dimensional and flexible approach while being forced to adapt to fast changing situations on the ground. A further insight of the study shows that even vaccinated individuals are no less sceptical, wary and confused about the information they received about the pandemic and the vaccine itself.