"As ethnic minorities we lag behind...in the uptake of the vaccine"
“We are all, irrespective of race, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is very likely we will all know someone who has been affected by this potentially severe disease.
Covid-19 has highlighted a number of health inequalities in ethnic minority populations. Also, ethnic minority populations are disproportionately affected by Covid-19 as they are more likely to have front line jobs, more likely to live in multigenerational households with older relatives and themselves more likely to have health comorbidities. People who live in households with front line staff are also at increased risk of Covid.
Principles that help stop the transmission of the disease include wearing a face mask, social distancing, hand washing and lockdowns, but vaccination will provide a realistic chance for everyone to go back to a normal life. The estimate is that between 70-85% of the population needs to be vaccinated for this to happen.
Unfortunately there are many misconceptions and conspiracies circulating about the vaccine and many surveys suggest that as ethnic minorities we lag behind other communities in the UK in the uptake of the vaccine.
I for one am proud to say I have had the vaccine and am looking forward to my second dose, as this will allow me to protect my patients, my family and the public.
Contrary to speculation on social media platforms, the Covid-19 vaccine does not contain meat or porcine derivatives or gelatine. The vaccine does not give people coronavirus, it does not alter your genetics, and there’s no data to suggest it impairs fertility in men or women. Even though it was developed in record time, this was because of a global collaboration between scientists and governments and does not mean that corners were cut in its development or licensing, thus still having to meet the usual safety standards for us to use.
Getting vaccinated will help us all as a community, help save lives and get us back to normal.
If you do have concerns, there are expert virologists here in Barts Health who will answer any questions and allay any concerns you may have.
Please continue to stay safe.”
Funlayo Odejinmi
Consultant Gynaecologist
Divisional director Women’s and Children’s Health
Whipps Cross Hospital
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