Forum Topic

Low take-up of Vaccine by BAME people

Just looking at the COVID report on the front page and having just seen a TV news comment by a doctor about the refusal of free vaccine jabs by the very people who are so highly vulnerable is plain staggering.   Yes persuasion is the way but those who still refuse, how and what can be done?   Logically anyone not vaccinated should not be permitted to mix or work with the rest of us.  It is utter madness but so many BAME people are a vital and much valued part of the NHS and many other areas of work.   What can be done?    The fact that a huge proportion of BAMEs are highly qualified top consultants, doctors, nurses, who will all (I hope) have received the vaccination jabs should have convinced these obdurate people to accept vaccinations.   What steps can be taken to enforce vaccination onto anyone coming into contact with the rest of us?

Jennifer Selig ● 1171d19 Comments

Down to age 50 now.  Self booking.

Sarah Felstead ● 1134d

Worth keeping up to date with the web site as the age is now 55 for self booking on line ...

Sarah Felstead ● 1142d

Age is coming down significantly now.  I had to book for a friend and the self booking slots at different venues change all the time.  Didn’t want Ealing or Wembley but then up came one of the rugby grounds in Twickenham...and then it went again!  Must have been huge numbers of locals all waiting, like me, for the rugby ground.  Took quite a while to eventually book the rugby ground, but you book both jabs on the same booking, so well worth it.

Sarah Felstead ● 1144d

I too have the impression that vaccination acceptance is very strong in the UK and that there is no need for compulsion. Covid is so very nasty, potentially at almost any age, that I'm confident the anti vaxxer lies and vaccine hesitancy will steadily fade. Of course once most people have been vaccinated the ones who can't or won't will find some activities difficult or impossible. Good luck going abroad for a start. When my wife & I went to get ours five weeks ago (both 70+) we didn't care which (we got the Pfizer, no side effects) and also supported the longer wait until the 2nd shot - that's now looking like a good science-based punt.

Eric Baker ● 1151d

Sounds like hearsay based on what 1 doctor thinks, rather than something backed by facts, and I am surprised you based your thinking on that. The facts are that less than 1% have refused the vaccine , and the NHS have not released any stats on who these people are. Do you have data to back your statement ?

Raj Patel ● 1159d

Often overworked.  Remind me how many short the NHS was on doctors and nurses BEFORE the pandemic (a not surprising but definitely unprepared for event)!  Thousands.https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/blog/2021/01/recovery-and-then-renewal-innovation-health-and-care-covid-19#comments-top Have any of the vaccines been tested on pregnant women? When asked we were told not and therefore it was not recommended.I know a key worker who had appointments for the flu jab cancelled three times before finally getting one this year.  That's an added difficulty for a busy key worker to deal with.Then there is this too and if it is true I hope it gets sorted out pdq:https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/16/why-some-junior-doctors-havent-had-a-covid-vaccineThe Govt seems to be going by age and I believe there are still young carers who go from house to house to care for people who need vaccinations.  Employers need to support their workers or self-employed workers to get vaccinations.  There appears to be a greater risk to you if you are employed where you receive greater exposure to the virus.There are centres where the local Councils are offering free Lateral Flow Tests to people with no symptoms. These are good for those who could be exposed but they are often the people who cannot afford time off.  Check your Council's website.  There was the Windrush scandal where those entitled to live in this country were denied healthcare and deported. Then there was the report of two French doctors suggesting that the vaccines should be trialled in Africa first.  Hardly a way to encourage those who may be nervous of having a vaccination!  There is also all the rubbish anti-vaxx stuff that is circulated on social media and which may be sent to you by your friends.  If you investigate the 'doctors' in those videos further you are likely to find them struck off or not actually medical doctors at all. Hardly a way to encourage those who may be nervous of having a vaccination!  Thankfully there are now some great adverts of encouragement by BAME members of our lovely very mixed society.  I do hope that more people will come forward and be supported to come forward to be vaccinated.Hopefully the slower uptake will now speed up.  Those volunteers doing the jabs are doing a brilliant job. 

Philippa Bond ● 1160d

On top of what I heard from a neighbour about ambulance crews it is now on TV that a significant proportion of health care workers are not taking up their offers to be vaccinated.It really is quite baffling why and should it not be mandatory for anyone working in fields where they come into contact with patients or those needing direct attention?It  is really baffling. But does remind me of all those clinicians who tell you not to smoke or eat badly. And then you see them outside in the bus shelter having a smoke and eating a bag of crisps!

Raymond Havelock ● 1161d

So, why - what are the reasons - there is low take up?

Sarah Felstead ● 1161d

Yes, dead right Peter, I thought of that after I'd posted my message.  I've had one jab as has the lady who used to hep me in the house but I've been advised to manage for a little longer, probably until I've had the 2nd Pfizer.  It's a case of balancing the risks - can't have it all!  At least if carers, plumbers etc etc were to be checked for the virus on a weekly basis, that would help.  It is madness for BAMEs not to accept vaccinations when offered them - they are a certain danger to both themselves, their  families and everyone they come in contact with as possible silent carriers.

Jennifer Selig ● 1162d

But if it hasn't yet been proved that having the vaccine also stops you spreading the virus, a vaccinated person could pose the same danger to others as a non-vaccinated one. What protects us 'vulnerable twits' is being vaccinated.

Peter Evans ● 1162d

Has the amount of BAME people taking up the offer of a vaccine jab increased now?  I do hope so but still seeing people on telly and in the newspapers decrying all and any vaccine.  The unvaccinated should be made to wear a yellow "plague" badge - they are walking killers for old vulnerable twits like me and I'd like to be able to take avoidance tactics should one hove into close proximity.  The Nazi state looming, what a terrible thought.  Seriously how can we avoid these "killers" walking amongst us?

Jennifer Selig ● 1163d

That's not a daily occurrence though.This people are responsible for their own actions and knowingly attending.It's the day to day breaches and climate of offending if one attempts to enforce those who are being careless or deliberate.The people are affecting those who are complying and wish not to be put at direct risk

Raymond Havelock ● 1169d

The party on the Grand Union canal house boat is a case in point.

Nicholas Beard ● 1169d

Was surprised yesterday to find that many Ambulance crews have not all been vaccinated, nor have carers who go to housebound.  They are generally younger people so way down the list. But they have families and random contact with clients or patients. It matters not what ethnicity they are, they are in the absolute front line and the risk runs both ways.The vaccine does not protect against being able to carry the virus and spread it but there are indications it is reduced.Yet employers and authorities have not really factored in the means to get these people vaccinated.  Management of Care Providers are very evasive towards their staff. That's long been the case, but the Ambulance Service is part of the NHS and really ought to have had all their crews sorted by now.

Raymond Havelock ● 1169d

Is everyone now covered for help from the Govt when they are on zero hour contracts?  All those key workers who have to find a replacement for themselves if they are ill and can't work - or they will lose their jobs?  All those people who can't afford to stop working or they won't be able to survive?  There is plenty of misinformation circulating on social media about the vaccine.  Someone they trust needs to have a word and I doubt if it will be anyone from Govt as they have suffered from too much injustice there.You are complaining about BAME individuals but what about the entitled who aren't BAME and are busy claiming their rights to not take precautions to keep themselves safe and keep others safe?  Those who are failing in their responsibilities and delighting in flouting rules just for the sake of it?

Philippa Bond ● 1170d

Perhaps non compliance should eventually have a sanction.

Keith Iddon ● 1170d

I heard one lady saying she wanted to know more about the vaccine before considering having it. Be honest - even with all the non-stop information and talking heads on the T.V. how many of us actually understand the science and technology that goes into developing these vaccines? It astounds me how some people would rather believe all the tripe by nutcases posting on Facebook and the like, as opposed to the evidence. Vaccination is possibly one of the greatest triumphs of medicine. I get that people don't trust the government - who does? Especially with their dubious track record with Covid, but thankfully they are not developing nor producing these vaccines.

Vanessa Smith ● 1170d

Exactly Raymond.  These ignorant and in some cases deliberately selfish ignorami need to be forced by law to get vaccinated - especially if in jobs mixing closely with the vulnerable and protected in the NHS or carehomes.  This virus has to be stamped out and reduced down to the current 'flu levels controlled by vaccine jab once a year.  Even better if it could be eliminated totally like so many previous killer diseases like diptheria, polio etc.  On this site you're talking to the converted but the obdurate must be targeted, educated and if still unwilling, lose their jobs.  They are a danger to the population and should be exposed as such.  In this case one has to forego freedom of choice -we all need to be vaccinated.

Jennifer Selig ● 1170d

It's inexplicable.I cannot understand either why so many from this group refuse to wear masks and comply in supermarkets and other locations? They do a lot of jobs putting them in more exposed areas and therefore should be the most likely to be ultra careful.Just look at the continual breaching at certain locations even locally, and the same high rates of infection in the same vicinity?It seems that it's too sensitive to enforce because it could be construed as being racist or unfairly heavy handed.When in reality is is simply for all and everyone else's health and safety.Responsibility lies with everyone, of all backgrounds and society.It's as bad at the top with celebrities and wealthy and that sends out the wrong signals as well.That said there are as many white people doing just the same. It's just easier to use a group with a stereotyped name.But it seems to be an attitude that runs common of simply not wanting to conform or do as one is asked or, eventually told.Given the infection and death rates, it's hard to understand why such anomalies exist. We all have a brain whatever language or race we may be pigeonholed as.

Raymond Havelock ● 1170d