"Vaccination inequality is not random; it follows the social gradient."
In this expert interview, David Taylor-Robinson, Professor of Public Health and Policy at the University of Liverpool, presents the data and it is stark.
Using GP-level data in England, his work shows that the more deprived the area, the lower the vaccination uptake and the gap is widening. Even more concerning, the data points to a strong link between rising child poverty and declining vaccination coverage.
This is not simply about "hesitancy" or individual choice. It is about how systems are designed and who they are failing. Structural factors such as poverty, access barriers, and reduced investment in preventive services are actively shaping who gets protected and who is left behind.
Key takeaway: Vaccination inequality is a downstream consequence of policy decisions. Fixing it requires upstream action.
