‘No concern’ about vaccine uptake

Fort Regent. Coronavirus Covid-19 Vaccination Centre in the Queen’s Hall (Rotunda). Picture: ROB CURRIE

Recently released minutes from the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell, which advises the government, highlighted information which indicated that the Island’s Portuguese and Madeiran citizens were ‘more hesitant’ to receive a Covid vaccine.

The most recent Public Health Wales figures show a 10% difference in uptake between Black Asian and minority ethnic groups and white people in most age categories. Current evidence also shows that those from a BAME background are ‘disproportionately impacted’ by Covid-19, according to the British Medical Association.

Jersey’s vaccination programme does not collect data on ethnic groups. In a statement, a government spokesperson said: ‘There are currently no concerns about the progress of take up within any priority group. The vaccination programme has seen a successful rate of vaccination which has been enabled through free, equal access for all.’

At a meeting of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Cell on 8 March, interim director of public-health practice Cynthia Folarin questioned whether there was any difference in uptake between ethnic groups.

Recently released STAC minutes show she was told ‘it was not possible to undertake a conclusive analysis by reviewing the information held on the EMIS [electronic patient records] system, because, in 70% of cases, ethnicity was not captured’.

Asked by the JEP why ethnicity was not recorded, the government spokesperson said: ‘Our data analysts are working hard to continue reporting through a robust system, with reliable and accurate data, based on medical records.

‘These medical records are held within Primary Care Services, where practitioners are independent from government. We do not have full access to these medical records to extract particular data based on legal and ethical frameworks.’

A vaccine perceptions survey was discussed at another STAC meeting on 22 February, which ‘appeared to be representative across the parishes, gender, income and qualifications’ spectrum, according to the minutes. However, it noted ‘participation by Islanders of Portuguese and Madeiran descent has been relatively low’, as well as with Islanders aged 17 to 24.

Portuguese and Madeiran respondents were ‘also more hesitant’ to have the vaccine, according to the survey results, with no significant differences noted in Polish, Romanian or other European groups.

Additional research with the Portuguese and Madeiran community to ‘explore the hesitancy around the vaccine was felt to be of use’, according to the minutes, which also noted that ‘communications to dispel the myths around the vaccine would be beneficial for all Islanders’.

The government spokesperson added: ‘The Connect Me service has been a vital part of the vaccine communications. Through the service, our communications team have had frequent meetings with different community sector groups to ensure government is meeting the needs of all Islanders.

‘The Public Health intelligence team will continue to report an accurate analysis on the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, now twice weekly.’

All leaflets with information about the vaccine have been translated into Polish, Portuguese, Bulgarian and Romanian, according to the government. Radio adverts have been translated and broadcast as well. Videos were also filmed in different languages featuring health and care workers providing information about the vaccine and why they decided to have it.

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