Vaccine confidence dialogues: african and caribbean professionals support community wellbeing and shape the future

by Rudi Page

The impact of Covid-19 virus (pandemic) is a starting point at which widespread fears and concerns have been expressed across and among African and Caribbean population groups. The hesitancy and sceptical attitudes relate intimately to the lived experience and disproportionate impact of community transmission and bereavement. No apparent apology being proffered has served to entrench mistrust and maintain a lack of
confidence that all peoples’ wellbeing is at the heart of the vaccine programme.

For a long time, there has been a lack recognition and compassion towards these oftenstated concerns. There is a distinct lack of appreciation that African and Caribbean population groups are sensitive to inequalities in science, particularly being aware of and understanding the fears relating to unethical and inhumane testing. Additionally, the reluctance to share data that under-pin public announcements has raised concerns at the
prospect of these communities being stigmatized for not being responsible members of the public.

Misinformation and distraction have been conflated with long term structural inequalities. The stated reluctance to taking the vaccine is regarded by some people as a form of resistance – yet minds can and have been changed when able to have an honest dialogue and receive the facts from trusted people and settings. There is an evident sense of community values that extends well beyond themselves.

The committed involvement of African and Caribbean Professionals & Trusted messengers has been overlooked and under-utilised for the scale and range of voluntary involvement in promoting vaccine confidence.
Vaccine Confidence Dialogues Series https://bit.ly/3uKhzH3

For information: Rudi Page, MCW: [email protected] or
Tel. +44 7958 744660

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