Faith minister urges vaccine uptake among BAME communities

At a summit alongside senior NHS figures, Kemi Badenoch today outlined the government’s response to the latest variant and has highlighted areas where the government is seeking faith leaders’ support.

The UK has one of the highest uptake rates in the world, with more than 85% of adults double jabbed so far.

However, data shows that people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are currently less likely to take up the vaccine.

All eligible adults aged over 18 can get their lifesaving booster jab from a walk-in vaccination centre or book online through the National Booking Service following updates to the programme this week.

A total of 750 troops have been drafted in to support deployment of booster vaccines across the UK, while tens of thousands of volunteers have stepped up to support the national mission. Extra vaccine centres and pop-up sites have also opened.

The UK Health Security Agency shows a booster vaccine tops up protection against symptomatic infection from the Omicron variant to around 70%.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Faith and local community leaders have played a vital role supporting the COVID-19 vaccine programme from the very beginning. Thank you to everyone who is uniting behind this national mission, spreading the word about the life-saving benefits of the vaccines and encouraging people to roll up their sleeves and get boosted now.

“We’re working with the NHS to provide advice and information at every opportunity on how to get a vaccine and the protection it provides. Today’s discussion with faith leaders is another opportunity to listen to views from across the country and join forces to get ahead in the race against the Omicron variant.

“It is never too late to get your vaccine, whether it’s your first, second or third. Please come forward and get protected for yourself, your family and your community.”

Dr Rakib Ehsan, a research fellow on social integration at the Henry Jackson Society, responded to the news: “It is important to challenge the vilification of unvaccinated citizens and understand what underpins vaccine hesitancy in ethnic-minority communities.

He went on: “Persuasion and consent should lie at the heart of our Covid-19 vaccination strategy.”