Community leaders and health professionals in Brent have called for wider information around the Covid-19 vaccine to be made available to members of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups.

At a special meeting held by Brent Council yesterday (Tuesday, February 9), several speakers highlighted the barriers facing these communities, such as misinformation and reduced access.

They noted the importance of providing evidence around the vaccine in a way that is “culturally sensitive” to all groups, including in a variety of languages.

This is particularly necessary in a region like Brent – the second-most diverse borough in the country, where two-thirds of the population are from BAME communities.

It comes as a recent Royal Society of Public Health poll suggested only just over half of BAME people would be happy to have the Covid-19 vaccine, compared to nearly 80 per cent of White respondents.

“There’s quite a lot of misinformation circulating on social media that is fuelling a negative attitude towards the vaccine – this really needs to be dispelled,” said Dr Raja Amjid Ali Riaz, an NHS consultant and the Covid-19 leader at the Central Mosque of Brent.

“Information must be available in multiple languages, with a localised delivery in sensitive areas.

“The message should be positive, short, evidence based and appropriately targeted to all communities.

“If we want to protect our family and friends and return to some sense of normality, we have to take on this programme.”

He added there are clear health, economic and moral benefits to taking the vaccine and urged community groups to hammer home this message.

Biochemist Dr Musharraf Hussain al-Azhari, who is also an imam, advised all members of the Islamic community to engage with the vaccination programme, noting it is acceptable on both scientific and theological grounds.

A similar plea had previously been put forward by Neasden Temple representative Dr Markand Patel in reference to Brent’s Hindu community.

The council has been keen to dispel myths around the vaccine, such as the suggestion that authorities are seeking to harm certain parts of the population or that each dose contains a microchip.

And it was repeated that members of BAME communities are more at risk of suffering long-term consequences from Covid-19.

For example, men of Pakistani or Bangladeshi heritage are twice as likely to die when compared to the White population, while among Black men, this jumps to four times.

“It’s impacting the Black and Asian communities more than anyone else,” said Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council.

“The vaccine will give hope and a future to our friends and families.”

He added people must continue to take the virus seriously, referencing his personal struggles and the devastating impact it has had on some of his family members.