Concerns grow over people refusing Covid jab in West Midlands as misinformation spreads
A campaign has been launched to help vulnerable residents get the Covid jab as fears rise about the spread of misinformation.
Failure to address a low uptake in the Covid vaccine among vulnerable communities will see health inequalities deepen.
That's the message from health chiefs across the region, as concerns grow over people from black and Asian backgrounds failing to turn up to get the jab.
In parts of Staffordshire GPs say up to 30 per cent of people from BAME communities had not turned up for vaccine appointments, compared to two-three per cent in other groups.
And reports say people in Sandwell were refusing the jab, while Birmingham's director of public health, Justin Varney, said that in some areas of the city half of those being invited for vaccines were rejecting the offer.
In a bid to address the issue, six local authorities across the region were handed a share of £2 million in government funding, with the cash earmarked for encouraging people in harder to reach communities to get vaccinated.
The cash will enable areas including Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Birmingham to launch 'community champions' schemes to help boost take up of the vaccine.
It comes as community leaders warned there were numerous factors dissuading people from BAME communities from getting the jab.
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Wolverhampton councillor Sohail Khan, who volunteers at the Jamia Masjid Bilal testing site on Newhampton Road West, said the city's Asian communities were being "bombarded" with misinformation about the jab.
"We are aware there are a lot of people refusing to have the vaccine," he said.
"There is a lack of trust of politicians and the media, and conspiracy theories are going round the community in WhatsApp groups on social media, saying 'they are going to chip you' and that Covid is all a hoax.
"I speak to intelligent people who believe all this nonsense. It is really prevalent and it is a massive issue.
"We know coronavirus has affected the BAME community disproportionately. The vaccine can save lives and it is important that people take it when they get the chance."
Maureen Lewis, chief officer of Walsall Black Sisters Collective, said she was aware of people in the black community where were reluctant to take the jab.
She said this was not simply down to conspiracy theories and that there were a number of contributory factors, including fears that black people had been used as vaccine "guinea pigs".
"They look at how badly black people have been treated in the past, then we hear the BAME community has been prioritised for the vaccine and people think, 'well you didn't care about us in the past, why do you care now?'
"There is a lot of suspicion and distrust – which has increased since the Windrush scandal. Part of it is that people want to take back the power they feel they have lost. They want to make a decision themselves, rather than have a vaccine forced upon them.
"Some people have talked about how quickly the vaccine has come about. So it is not that they definitely won't take it at all, they just don't want to take it now.
"As an organisation we are not telling anyone not to take the vaccine. It is an individual decision."
Dr Lisa McNally, director of public health in Sandwell, warned people against taking the "very dangerous decision" to refuse the jab.
“Sandwell, like many financially poorer urban areas, has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic," she added.
"This inequality will continue if we see low vaccination uptake in our area."
£2 million to increase vaccine take-up
A campaign has been launched to help vulnerable residents get the Covid jab after a £2 million funding was secured to help West Midlands communities most at risk from the pandemic.
Health chiefs plan to use cash from the Government's £23m Community Champions fund to boost vaccine take up in harder to reach communities and "dispel myths" about it.
Six councils have been given £2.17 million as part of the Government's scheme.
Wolverhampton has received £474,943, Walsall was given £432,500 and Sandwell's share is £318,920.
The 60 recipients of a national pot also include Birmingham (£440,000), Coventry (£499,145) and Telford and Wrekin (£50,000).
Ministers say the cash will be used to fund projects aimed at stopping disinformation spreading about the jab and build trust among harder to reach communities.
Wolverhampton South West MP Stuart Anderson, said: "In Wolverhampton, the scheme will boost support to areas of our community that are most at risk, help to reduce the transmission of Covid-19, and ensure that vaccinations, testing, and other support is easily accessible by everyone."
Sandwell Council is training a team of volunteer community vaccination leaders.
Dr McNally said: "With our support, they will be able to talk to people in their local area about vaccination, maybe helping to dispel some of the myths and concerns people may have picked up about vaccination from less trustworthy sources."
The authority is offering grants to voluntary sector organisations and faith groups to help support vaccination uptake among their communities.
Birmingham's scheme, which is already up and running, includes helplines to allow those with limited digital access to follow guidance and access support for tests and vaccines.