Recent research reveals that in some communities, up to 80% of individuals missed receiving their full Covid-19 vaccinations.
According to a study led by scientists at Health Data Research UK, ethnic minority groups in the UK are twice as likely to be under-vaccinated against Covid-19 compared to their white British counterparts. This alarming trend raises significant public health concerns as those lacking full vaccination are at higher risk for hospitalization or death from the virus.
“The data speaks for itself,” stated Professor Angela Wood from HDR UK and Cambridge University. “We analyzed data from 67 million people across England, Scotland, and Wales, and discovered that only about 40% of individuals from white backgrounds had not received their complete Covid vaccinations by the start of this year, whereas a staggering 80% of individuals from certain ethnic groups were under-vaccinated. This difference is stark.”
The groups with particularly high under-vaccination rates include Black African, Black Caribbean, and Asian Pakistani communities, with about 60% under-vaccination observed in Asian Chinese and Asian Indian groups. “An individual is considered under-vaccinated if they have missed any of the recommended Covid jabs for their age group,” Wood explained in an interview.
As health services brace for a potential surge in Covid cases with winter approaching, doctors and pharmacies are already administering vaccinations to eligible individuals, such as care home residents and those over 65.
This research on vaccination rates among ethnic groups follows an earlier study released this year, which examined the overall uptake of Covid vaccines throughout Britain. It illuminated the share of the population that remained under-vaccinated by the end of 2022, highlighting figures of 46% in England, 50% in Northern Ireland, 33% in Scotland, and 34% in Wales.
Wood noted, “Our findings also indicated that individuals more likely to be under-vaccinated tend to be male, younger, and from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
The repercussions of inadequate vaccination coverage could be severe, with the study estimating that approximately 7,000 severe Covid cases, including hospitalizations and deaths, could be linked to this lack of full protection.
The original study, conducted by HDR UK and Edinburgh University, recognized the heightened risk of under-vaccination among ethnic minority groups, prompting further investigation. Researchers categorized the populations of England, Scotland, and Wales into 13 distinct ethnic groups; while over 40% of the white British or Irish demographic remained under-vaccinated, all other categories surpassed 60%, with several reaching 80%. “This represents a significant disparity,” Wood remarked.
While the findings concerning ethnic minority groups highlight a troubling trend for health officials, Wood urged caution. “Different ethnic groups exhibit varying age distributions, often with fewer older adults. Our prior research indicates that younger individuals are generally less likely to receive vaccinations, which could affect our outcomes. Nonetheless, this situation remains concerning.”
Wood emphasized the necessity for continued research, stating, “Using comprehensive population-level electronic health records for Covid-related research has allowed us to identify these differences. However, there is an urgent public health need to investigate vaccination rates for other preventable diseases, like measles, among different ethnic groups across the UK. This is an area ripe for further exploration.”
