The NHS in Kent and Medway is running asking local people if they intend to have the Covid-19 vaccine and if there is more information they would need to decide.
We have launched a short online survey and would welcome your views. We would particularly like to hear from people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds.
Dr Navin Kumta, Ashford GP and clinical chair of Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“We know that the virus has had a disproportionate impact on people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds. We believe it is really important to get as many people from our BAME communities vaccinated as possible; particularly those who are elderly or living with long term conditions. But we also know that some BAME communities are more cautious about using vaccines.”
A recent national study from the Royal Society for Public Health found 57% of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people said they would take the vaccine. This compared with 79% of white people who would take a Covid-19 vaccine.
Dr Kumta added:
“We want to understand if Kent and Medway residents have specific concerns. We’ll use the feedback to look at what information and reassurance we could give before people make a final decision about having the vaccine. The survey is open to everyone, but we are keen to get as much feedback as we can from local BAME communities.”
The Kent and Medway vaccine intentions survey is open until Monday 18 January 2021. The link is: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/KCHH3K/
