The BHG consists of Dr Donald Palmer, Associate Professor of Immunology, Dr Jacqueline McLeod GP and Terrence Channer LLB Healthcare solicitor.
The BHG was formed to address issues and concerns in relation to Covid-19 vaccination in the black community.
Currently three vaccines have been approved for emergency use in the UK – Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Oxford/AstraZeneca.
The vaccination programme has been underway since mid December 2020 and at the time of writing, over 10 million people in the UK have been vaccinated.
The aim of this factsheet is to address some questions that you may have.
The questions include:
- Will the vaccines work?
- Are the vaccines safe?
- Haven’t some doctors and scientists said that the vaccines are unsafe or that they will be used for social engineering purposes?
- Will the vaccines offer immediate immunity?
- How do the vaccines work?
- Should pregnant women be vaccinated?
- Should women be vaccinated if they are breastfeeding?
- Some vaccines are unsuitable for people with allergies to egg products; are these vaccines among them?
- Are these vaccines suitable for people with compromised immune systems?
- Have the vaccines used aborted foetal material in their development?
- Should those of low risk of developing serious complications from Covid-19 be vaccinated?
- Should vaccine/immunity passports be given to those who have been vaccinated?
- Will we be able to stop wearing face coverings, maintaining social distancing etc?
- Where can we get further help if we are unsure about Covid-19 vaccination?#
Paul Riddell, an Enfield Caribbean Association trustee, recently received his Covid-19 vaccination. Paul said, 'I am really pleased to be able to get vaccinated as it is the best defence against COVID-19. I am of an age and ethnicity that has been hugely impacted by the virus. I would like to be able to have a family life again - see my children, grandchildren - and resume normal life. If you are able to take the vaccine, when it is offered, please accept. It is the best way out of this pandemic.’
Click here to download the answers to these questions.
