‘I don’t trust the vaccine. It was made too quickly’
SOME inner-city residents living in the worst areas for jab uptake in Birmingham have said they just ‘don’t trust’ the vaccine.
The sentiment shows just how difficult it will be to get through to many living in poorer communities.
Medics fear soaring Covid rates among the unvaccinated alongside many more cases of so-called long Covid.
Unvaccinated populations also pose a risk of developing Covid variants which could be more deadly than the original and set the vaccine programme back for everybody else.
Many of those living in Newtown who spoke to the Post said they were hesitant to get jabbed.
Just 40 per cent of over 50s and 61.4 per cent of over 18s were yet to have their first injection in the area, a mile from the city centre.
Speaking to the Post at Newtown Shopping Centre, Nathan Davis, 44, said: “I had a jab for something, I won’t go into the details of what it was for, but it made me ill, really ill.
“I don’t trust it. It was made too quickly. My sister and all of her kids got Covid and they’re fine, they got over it.
“But the vaccine might give you something that you can’t get over.”
Mr Davis also believes his sentiment echoes what others in the community are feeling.
Mary Maher, who grew up in Newtown but has recently moved, also said: “It’s an experimental vaccine. The trial period ends in 2023. There are no long-term safety data.
“I’m not prepared to be a lab rat, thanks.”
Also worried about the health effects of the jab was 22-year-old Sukhpal Singh.
The Austin Lane resident said: “I was put off when I heard reports of young people getting blood clots after having the AstraZeneca.
“I might consider it in the future, but I definitely won’t be getting it at the moment. Not until I know for sure that it’s safe.”
Public Health England data shows that having two doses of the vaccine, AstraZeneca or Pfizer, dramatically improves people’s chance of avoiding serious illness and hospitalisation.
“I’ve had both jabs,” said Newtown care worker Weldeab.
“But I understand that some people have concerns and hesitations over the safety of the jab. It’s up to the individual whether they want to have it or not.”
But Angela Powney told the Post that she “doesn’t understand” why some Newtown residents are reluctant to have the vaccine.
“It hasn’t affected me. My uncle had both jabs and it saved his life.
“It’s down to choice, but obviously, if we can save more lives that’s what needs to be done.”
Birmingham City Council said it is working with the NHS to ensure vaccination vans regularly visit Newtown.