Concern for BAME health staff not taking up the vaccine

[Baileysforchristmas]

This is going to be an issue:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-56069325

I don't know, but could that be because a larger percentage of BAME staff were aware they had it?

It does seem to hit BAME health staff harder and I think it is kind of logical to turn down a vaccine that might only work for one season if you've already had covid-19.

Well hopefully that’s the case and hopefully the people they are looking after have had the vaccine.

@31RooCambon

I don't know, but could that be because a larger percentage of BAME staff were aware they had it?

It does seem to hit BAME health staff harder and I think it is kind of logical to turn down a vaccine that might only work for one season if you've already had covid-19.

That makes no sense at all!

I think any hcp who refuses the vaccine without a good (ie health) reason should not be allowed near patients.

Oblio - good luck with your HCP shortage.

I think any hcp who refuses the vaccine without a good (ie health) reason should not be allowed near patients.

Even if they’ve already had the virus and have the antibodies?

How is that any different from the vaccine triggering them to have antibodies?

I can see this leading to more racism - “I don’t want to be treated by him as he’s BAME so won’t be vaccinated”

I don’t think we should start worry about those who haven’t taken up their offer of a vaccine until every adult that wants it has had their two doses.

If people don’t want it, that’s up to them. Many of them will change their minds when everyone else has been done and there have been no major side effects shown.

We have BAME care assistants and they have had there vaccines.

@NailsNeedDoing that’s very true, it makes a point on everyone else who needs to take the vaccine as the person who’s caring for you in the future might not so make sure you protect yourself.

I believe there is a problem with take up in some communities overall and people who work on healthcare as just regular people! It worries me for their safety and think government should do more. I don’t presume anyone I come into contact with has had it personally!

You can’t just expect years and year of mistrust in scientists, Government, medical testing to suddenly disappear and all members of society suddenly trust the Government has their best interest at heart and accept the vaccine.

I can’t speak for all those people lumped into the heading of BAME, but black people have been dis it step against, medically tested; black women are more likely to die in childbirth etc etc for years and now suddenly they should trust those in charge?

We have more sense tbh, but I don't work in healthcare or with others outside my home.
BAME will likely take up the vaccine, we just won't be at the front of the queue.
You wouldn't necessarily know who was BAME anyway, are you going to ask everyone who cares for you. "Oh, btw, are you BAME?"
Especially in Leicestershire where there is a significant proportion of BAME.

The media have never given AF about 'BAME' people, now they're making them scapegoats.

@0blio not sure where you are coming from when you say "that makes no sense at all".
Read what i typed. It makes sense. The vaccine isnt mandatory. Hcp who are aware they have had covid would know that they have some immunity for a season. This may not fully explain the lower take up, but it could be one reason contributing to lower % take up.

@31RooCambon I would think that anyone with experience of covid either by having it themselves or caring for patients with it would definitely want the protection of the vaccine.

We just look at it differently I guess.

@EffIt

The media have never given AF about 'BAME' people, now they're making them scapegoats.

This is true. As is the fact that they are the lowest group by a large margin to take up the vaccine in many Trusts (I’ve seen the official figures at two geographically different Trusts and same in both). I’m not sure what the answer is, this mistrust will take years to heal.

I’ll happily be treated by anyone whether they’ve had the vaccine or not. I don’t think anyone should be forced to have it but feel a bit sad if those who seem to be most at risk from this virus refuse to be vaccinated against it. I’m not really sure what can be done about it?

An issue for who? If they've been offered it and don't want it, for any reason, I don't have an issue with that.

Are there any people in health care who have refused the vaccination here? It would be great to hear directly from them.

This government will stop at nothing to stir up racial hatred. White doctors dont have a 100% vaccine take up either. We have freedom of choice and the right to private medical records in this country. Why do people seem to think covid overrides this?! We should be thanking health care staff not criticising them

I wouldn’t want to be treated by someone who hasn’t had the vaccine. This will be an issue in the future. More should be done to target the groups with low vaccine uptake.

The thing is the less people who take up the vaccine the longer we are in lockdown and surely people who hcp are the people who should be taking the vaccine more than anyone else.

Anyone who doesn't want to be treated by a vaccine refusing doctor should feel free to remove their own appendix at home surely?

@Rasclut

This government will stop at nothing to stir up racial hatred. White doctors dont have a 100% vaccine take up either. We have freedom of choice and the right to private medical records in this country. Why do people seem to think covid overrides this?! We should be thanking health care staff not criticising them

is it stirring up racial hatred to state a fact?

Yes. Look at the government's response to covid. All they have done is blame ethnic minorities from the ridiculous claim that it came from eating a bat to the claim that it effects you worse if you have brown skin. Then they claimed that bame weren't social distancing. Articles in the news about bame breaches all the time. Then claims that areas with high bame needed local lockdowns. Now claiming bame dont want the vaccine and more needs to be done. What do you call this if not stirring up racial hatred?