SEVERAL examples of vaccine-related disinformation have gained traction in black, South Asian and other minority ethnic groups.
There are rumours the vaccines contain pork products – THEY DO NOT.
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Neither of the vaccines used have any animal products in them.
I’ve also seen it suggested that they are not effective for people of colour, or that for certain ethnic groups they are unsafe.
Neither is true, but as a member of the black community, I see and hear it a lot.
Some health authorities say the “no shows” for non-white patients’ vaccines are up to ten times what they are for Caucasian patients, which is incredibly concerning.
I understand where the misinformation and distrust has come from.
As people who have been medically experimented on in our history, and to this day still suffer inequalities in healthcare com-pared to white people, there is a reticence and a lack of trust that goes back centuries.
Language barriers add another obstacle.
To really tackle this issue we must provide people with accurate information from trusted sources within their own ethnic groups.
Both vaccines have been endorsed by religious leaders, councils and faith communities – and they’re safe for every single community, regardless of colour.
