Cheshire and Merseyside NHS has reported an increase in COVID-19 vaccine uptake across Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in the region.
The results of a recent sentiment study by Cheshire and Merseyside Health Partnership found that over half (58%) of respondents said their views of the vaccines have become more positive since they first heard about them.
These results are welcomed by the local affected by the virus.NHS, given the fact that these communities are disproportionately
Facts around the vaccine having an impact on the drop in the number of COVID-19 cases (31%) and the reduction in COVID-19 related deaths (34%) were cited as the main reasons behind encouraging people to take the vaccine, with 31% also stating that they were encouraged by knowing it will get the country out of lockdown quicker
The shift in sentiment follows an on-going campaign launched by Cheshire and Merseyside Health Partnership to develop a deeper understanding of the experiences of COVID-19 among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and their views towards the vaccination. The campaign aims to address questions, ensure everyone has all the facts and reassure the region’s communities about vaccine safety, so nobody gets left behind.
Dr Cheryl Lowes, partner at Jubilee Medical Centre in Liverpool, said:
“We did experience some areas of low vaccine uptake, especially with younger people who had been exposed to misinformation and were concerned about infertility and other alleged long-term side effects. Because of this, it was important for us to get out into communities to help to dispel the myths surrounding the vaccine and provide people with the correct information in a medium that was engaging for them.
“We were able to, through a number of avenues including virtual Q&A sessions, a vaccine bus, and with the help from third sector workers who were instrumental in engaging communities that were otherwise isolated, provide accessible information to people who were less likely to come forward when invited for their vaccine.
“What we saw was that once people were properly informed of the benefits of the vaccine and its impact on transmission they recognised that the only way we can come out of lockdown restrictions safely is to go and get vaccinated.”
Dr Raj Kumar, Cheshire and Merseyside GP and Chair of the NHS Clinical Leaders Network added:
“It is encouraging to see that we are reaching more people from minority ethnic communities across the region with accurate real time facts about vaccine safety.
“We cannot reiterate enough that the NHS would not offer any COVID-19 vaccinations to the public until it was deemed safe to do so by our Patient Safety organisations, and the evidence is clear in that the vaccine is effective in dealing with the current pandemic. It’s critical we continue to work alongside these communities to ensure they are getting clear factual information and advice provided by trusted community leaders and health professionals.”
The latest study, which was co-funded by Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership, NHS England and NHS Improvement, Public Health England and Cheshire and Merseyside’s Directors of Public Health, surveyed 189 people from across Cheshire and Merseyside.