Vaccine confidence in BAME communities is vital

Commenting on a new survey from the Royal Society of Public Health indicating that 57% of respondents from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds were likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 79% of White respondents, RPS President Sandra Gidley said:

“These findings are concerning. There must be greater effort to reach out more effectively to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who have a greater risk of contracting the virus with higher adverse effects and mortality.

“How you communicate with different communities is vital to ensure proper understanding and confidence. Local community groups are trusted channels that reflect the cultural and religious beliefs and attitudes of diverse populations and it’s important to involve them in providing health information. Pharmacists too have an enormous role to play in proactively creating confidence in vaccines approved by the MHRA, which will benefit the health of diverse communities and reduce the impact of this terrible virus.”