CONCERNS HAVE risen about low vaccine uptake among black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) healthcare workers in England.

A government adviser has warned that rates are dangerously low.

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS trust, which employs one of the largest and most ethnically diverse healthcare workforces in the UK, published new public data on vaccination rates.

The data revealed that black and minority ethnic staff under the age of 30 who lived in deprived areas had one of the lowest vaccine uptake rates.

Data from almost 20,000 healthcare workers who were offered the jab was analysed.

The results revealed that 71% of white people in administration and executive positions have taken the vaccine. In stark contrast, just 37% of black staff and 59% of south Asian staff took the vaccine.

Prof Kamlesh Khunti, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) and Independent Sage at the University of Leicester, warned in a preliminary report that the research could jeopardise the vaccine strategy.

“We were expecting differences, but not these huge disparities, especially as seen in the black healthcare workers,” Khunti said.

“We know that black populations are less likely to take up any vaccine, but to see this in healthcare workers was a surprise and a worry as well.”

Recent documents published by Sage predict more vaccine hesitancy among minority ethnic groups, Khunti admits.

He said that historical discrimination, misinformation and medical mistrust among black and minority ethnic communities in the UK was the root cause.

COVID-19 vaccination data in Africa

Internationally, epidemiologists and other experts are concerned that African countries have struggled to record their own accurate data on the spread of COVID due to the global surge in vaccines.

Many African countries, particularly in remote areas, are not able to afford mass testing and lack capacity to collect reliable data on cases and deaths.

According to data from Johns Hopkins University, there have been 3.7m confirmed cases in Africa.

Within days, it is expected that the continent will have 100,000 confirmed deaths.

‘Red list countries’ hotel quarantine starts today

UK nationals returning to England from the 33 “red list countries” will be required to quarantine in hotels for 10 days, starting today.

The countries listed as COVID-19 hotspots include African nations such as Angola, Mozambique and South Africa.

Speaking on the government’s travel guidelines, Matt Hancock, health secretary, said: “As this deadly virus evolves, so must our defences. We have already taken tough action to limit the spread, protect people and save lives.

“With the emergence of new variants, we must go further. The rules coming into force today will bolster the quarantine system and provide another layer of security against new variants at the border.”