Addressing the elephant in the room: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Black and Asian communities

Abstract

The evidence is clear: Black and Asian minority ethnic groups in the UK have experienced poorer outcomes in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. People of Black and Asian ethnicity have faced higher diagnostic rates, higher intensive care admission rates, and ultimately higher death rates compared to the White population.1–3 Despite comprising the minority of the workforce, Black and Asian healthcare staff make up approximately two-thirds of the deaths observed in this setting.4 In the light of the statistical evidence, there have been increasing calls among experts for the government to categorise Black …