Vaccines are good not only for children, even adults need them to fight against diseases. But a recent survey by a UK-based market survey organisation, Ipsos MORI in five countries including India, has found that not many adults are aware about this fact. This is despite the WHO citing immunisation as one of the most powerful and cost-effective interventions in ensuring better public health.
Conducted by Ipsos MORI and sponsored by GSK, the survey conducted in Brazil, United States, Germany and Italy besides India found that 68 per cent of adults are not up-to-date with the vaccines recommended for them while 43 percent feel that they lack knowledge about adult vaccines.
In India, 2,002 adults across 6 cities (Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai) were surveyed. It found that while 42 per cent of adults ranked staying in good physical health as the primary priority to them in life, staying up-to-date with vaccinations is typically less important compared with other ways of staying healthy such as eating healthily, keeping active and not smoking, particularly among males.
The majority of adults surveyed in India believe that although vaccines are an effective way to prevent serious illness, however 34 percent believe them only to be required for travel purposes. Around 38 percent believe vaccinations are for children and/or babies only whereas 26 per cent believe vaccinations are not required if one is fit and healthy, says the survey.
The survey is a part of the GSK's Vaccinate for life campaign that aims to improve general awareness about the benefits of vaccination throughout the life and also to encourage more conversations between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and their adult patients on vaccination.
Findings from the survey of over 6,002 adults across five countries found that 15 percent of adults believe that vaccinations are only recommended for children and/or babies with 21 percent thinking they are only needed for travel purposes.
A Vaidheesh from Glaxo-
SmithKline Pharmaceuticals said, "The results of the survey highlight the crying need for awareness about adult vaccination in the country. Most people are familiar with the importance of vaccination in childhood however vaccination is equally important throughout life: for adolescents, adults and older people."