Healthwatch is helping families tackle misinformation about childhood immunisations

Ella (far left) delivering an information and outreach session in the community

Ella McGrane is the Childhood Immunisation Outreach Worker for Islington. She has been in post for seven months and during that time has been delivering outreach sessions across the borough, in children’s centres, libraries, health clinics, and community organisations. Her work focuses on helping families understand childhood vaccinations and addressing the many concerns and barriers that can lead to lower uptake.

Ella’s outreach has involved delivering workshops in partnership with the Islington Somali Community, Eritrean Community in the UK, Jannaty, Arachne, and Community Language Support Services. These sessions are designed to create a space for families to ask questions and hear clear, accessible information.

Over the past several months, Ella has spoken to many parents and carers. Here she shares some of the key things she’s learned:

1. People are keen to learn more about vaccinations

There’s a real appetite for information. Parents often come to sessions with questions they haven’t felt able to ask in other settings. They want to do what’s best for their children, but they don’t always have access to clear or culturally appropriate information. Workshops with interpreters and community leaders have been particularly effective in helping break down barriers to understanding.

2. Trust and personal experiences really matter

Families are often influenced by their own or others’ experiences, whether those are positive or negative. Misinformation can spread quickly, especially when it fills gaps left by unclear communication. Many parents say they’ve heard worrying things from friends or online. Having a safe space to talk through those concerns and hear accurate, evidence-based information makes a real difference.

3. Unfortunately, there’s still a long way to go

Despite growing interest, the numbers show there’s more work to be done. In Islington, the uptake of childhood vaccinations for children under five is currently 67%, which is well below the national average of 73%. Those figures mean a lot of children aren’t fully protected against preventable diseases. It’s a reminder that outreach needs to be ongoing and consistent.