A comparison of the coverage of immunisation by Britain's quality and popular press

Abstract

THE attention given to and the quality of information provided on the topic of immunisation by Britain's quality and popular press were compared. The hypothesis that the availability of information in these two groups of newspapers would follow the same pattern as class inequalities in the take-up of vaccination was shown to be incorrect. In fact, although the level of information and general coverage were poor, the popular press tended to display a more responsible attitude towards vaccination. Hence there was no evidence to suggest that press coverage of immunisation might be one socio-economic factor which might account for the differences in vaccination levels between the different social classes. The implications of these results are discussed with reference to proposals that progress in reducing inequalities in health could be made by encouraging health education.