A WIRRAL woman is championing a campaign to ensure ethnic communities across the borough feel safe about having the Covid-19 vaccine. 

Carol Haque is encouraging others in the Bangladeshi community to take up the vaccine as the safest, most effective way to tackle the virus in a campaign launched by Cheshire and Merseyside NHS.

Using insight from local research, representatives from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic will address questions about the vaccine in a series of radio adverts, posters and social media adverts.

Research surveyed people across the region from ethnic communities to develop an in-depth understanding of their experiences of COVID-19 and their views towards the vaccination.

It found concerns about its effectiveness and fear of potential side effects where among the top reasons why a third (33%) of minority ethnic communities in Cheshire and Merseyside are reluctant to have the vaccination.

Although overall uptake of the vaccine amongst the first four priority groups is now just under 90%, the uptake is lower amongst some ethnic minority communities, which the local NHS says is a concern, given the fact that these communities are being disproportionately affected by the virus.

Urging others in Wirral to have the jab, Carol said: "I was relieved when I was offered the chance to get vaccinated as I know it is the best way to protect myself from COVID-19 infection.

"I can understand though why some people might be hesitant.

"Some people I know are worried about possible side effects, but I always tell them that thousands of people were involved in the vaccine trials all over the world and from many different backgrounds.

"I really believe it is the best way of keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe.

"This is even more important for men and women within ethnic communities because research shows we are more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated.

"It is the best solution for all of us." 

Dr Paula Cowan, Wirral GP and Chair of NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group said: "The NHS would not offer any COVID-19 vaccinations to the public until it was safe to do so. Nationally, we have now given over 17 million doses of the vaccine in England, and in Wirral that number is 128,633.

"It is clear from the scientific evidence that the vaccine is effective, with early signs suggesting the success of the vaccination programme is contributing to the welcome fall in people in hospital with coronavirus.

"We understand that some communities have specific concerns and may be more hesitant in taking the vaccine than others. It is more important than ever that we reassure people.

"We are already starting to utilise the data from the Cheshire and Merseyside research and are working together with local community and faith-led groups, charities and other voluntary organisations to address the concerns and meet the needs of different groups in Wirral."