Deprived young fall behind as vaccination gap grows

Fewer than one in two young people are taking up the Covid vaccine in some of the most deprived areas in Scotland, new figures have revealed.

The stark statistics emerged as the Scottish Government faces increasing pressure to encourage vaccination in younger age groups.

Despite invitations being sent to all adults, fewer than 70 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds have received a first vaccine dose, compared to 100 per cent in age groups above 55.

For those in that age group living in the most deprived areas the coverage is even lower, at just 53 per cent, compared to up to 68 per cent in some less deprived groups as of July 13, according to a report from Public Health Scotland.

Charities aiming to reduce poverty and inequality in Scotland have labelled the figures a “real cause for concern” and called on the Scottish Government to increase vaccine

●Government under pressure to boost uptake as charities voice concern

uptake in deprived groups. Among the most deprived young people in Lothian, uptake is 47 per cent, while in Fife it is 48 per cent, and in Glasgowandgrampianitis50 per cent.

Vaccination rates are also much lower in ethnic minority groups.

Just 46 per cent of people of African, Caribbean or black ethnicity aged between 18 and 29 have had a first dose, along with 54 per cent of Asians.

Coverage in white people in the same age group is 69 per cent.

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said the figures were a “real cause for concern”.

He said: “It is vital that there is a concerted effort to ensure that everyone can access the vaccine. To do this we need to get the message right.

"General public health messages do not always work for all groups in society, so those responsible need to make sure that messages are tailored to reach everyone.

“We also need to remove any practical barriers that may exist. That means ensuring that vaccination centres are located in areas of disadvantage, and that any transport barriers are removed. Involving trusted community groups in supporting vaccine rollout would also help.

“Rates of vaccination amongst older people living in low-income neighbourhoods is already high. We now need to ensure similar rates of takeup amongst all age groups to ensure that no-one is left behind.”

Chris Birt, deputy director for Scotland at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “Covid-19 has shone a harsh light on the injustice of the unacceptable levels of poverty in Scotland.

"People on low incomes have been more likely to catch Covid-19 and sadly die from it. As a result, it is vital that NHS Scotland make every effort to maximise vaccine uptake for those on low incomes as a key part of our work to reduce health inequalities that exist in Scotland.”

In the 2011 census, around 141,000 Scots were identified as of Asian ethnicity, while around 30,000 were identified as African and just under 7,000 as black or Caribbean.

Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “These figures should be a reminder that there is no space for complacency on the vaccine rollout.

“We clearly need to do more to reach ethnic minority communities and crucially to understand the various concerns and the barriers that may be stopping people from getting vaccinated.

“Ethnic minority people have already been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and we need to ensure they are not put at higher risk again by low vaccination rates.”

The National Union of Students said it is “particularly concerned” about the risk of Covid spread among unvaccinated young people entering student accommodation when the autumn term starts.

"The Scottish Government must urgently consider what more can be done to protect students and wider society from the spread of Covid-19,” said union president Matt Crilly.

The Scottish Greens have also called for more to be done, especially around college and university campuses.

"Drop-in centres sometimes aren’t an option for young people who are self-isolating or who can’t get to the location easily,” said health spokesperson Gillian Mackay MSP.

Ms Mackay urged the Scottish Government to “reach out to young people using the services they are already accessing like colleges and universities.”

She added that messaging must be clear that young people are not immune to risk from Covid, calling the recent UK Government lifting of restrictions and associated messaging “unhelpful” on this point.

“Just because Boris Johnson thinks it is acceptable to experiment with letting young people catch the virus doesn’t mean we need to accept it in Scotland,” she said.

Behavioural scientist Linda Bauld said key methods to increase uptake are good communication, ease of access, and possibly incentives.

While vaccine passports are “controversial”, she pointed to countries like France and Italy where these have been used as incentives to increase vaccine uptake.

"It may have a role to play, but I think it’s quite a big jump to say we should do it for lots of settings,” she said.

"What I would prefer is that we just try and keep up the comms to young people. Targeted, regular communication, using social media and other platforms that are easily accessible to them.

"Relatively few young adults are watching briefings from the First Minister, they are valuable, but that's probably not the target audience.”

Prof Bauld added that vaccine centres should be targeted in places where young people work and interact.

There is not much evidence for celebrity endorsements encouraging uptake, she said, but quirky ideas like the endorsement of vaccines by dating apps, which allow people to put vaccination stickers on their profiles, are “great”.

“We have to change social norms so that it’s viewed as something that is attractive and acceptable,” she said.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Universities and colleges are already encouraging students to get vaccinated as soon as possible so they will be fully vaccinated before arriving on campus.

"We have also agreed with Health Boards and Higher and Further Education Institutions to appoint Single Points of Contacts in universities and collegeswhowillsupportthedelivery of the vaccination to students across Scotland, including through the use of on-campus vaccination clinics.”