Vaccine messaging

IT IS extremely worrying that some ethnic minority groups are the least likely to accept the coronavirus vaccine.

A recent poll by the Royal Society of Public Health showed that only more than half of BAME people would be happy to have the vaccine, compared with 79 per cent of their white counterparts.

Some experts have blamed this reluctance on the spread of misinformation on social media, falsely claiming that the vaccine contains alcohol and meat products or can alter one’s DNA.

We already know that the virus has disproportionately impacted BAME communities more than any other. So, it is vital that these groups engage with the vaccination programme to prevent any more infections and deaths.

The vaccines have been produced after rigorous trials and have been approved only after meeting stringent standards.

Authorities should make more of an effort to reach out to ethnic communities with tailored materials to meet specific community needs, such as translated information and culturally sensitive advice.

Community and faith leaders also play a key role in persuading the wider public on the issue and allaying any doubts they might have on the ingredients and processes, in order to ensure the message extends to hard-to-reach groups.

Members of the Asian community should strive to have conversations with their peers and relatives about the vaccine, if they are feeling anxious, rather than relying on unverified sources. They can also check reputable sources for information, such as NHS England, so that we can end this pandemic, and most important, save lives.