Around one in three people in England aged 50 and over identifying as black Caribbean are unlikely to have received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
Vaccination rates for the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine were lower among all ethnic minority groups compared with the White British population.
The lowest vaccination rates were among people identifying as Black Caribbean and Black African (66.8% and 71.2% respectively), followed by people from Pakistani (78.4%) backgrounds according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Vaccination rates also differed by religious affiliation, with the lowest rates being among those who identified as Muslim (78.8%) and Buddhist (83.3%); after adjusting for geography, socio-demographic factors and underlying health conditions, those identifying as Sikh and Hindu had a higher probability of being vaccinated than those in the Christian group.
There were lower vaccination rates among those in less advantaged socio-economic groups; people living in more deprived areas, those who have never worked or are long-term unemployed, those with no qualifications and those who do not own their own home all had lower vaccination rates than their more advantaged socio-economic class counterparts.
Disabled people who reported being “limited a lot” in their day-to-day activities had lower rates of vaccination (89.3%) compared with those who were non-disabled (92.3%); this disparity between disabled and non-disabled groups was greater within those aged 50 to 69 years than those aged 70 years and over.
“Vaccination rates in the over 50s in England are lower in all ethnic minority groups compared with their White British counterparts, with the lowest rates in those who identify as Black Caribbean and Black African. Lower vaccination rates were also observed in those who identify as Muslim, disabled people, and those living in more deprived areas.” said Hugh Stickland, Strategy and Engagement, Office for National Statistics
“This is broadly similar to the groups who express vaccine hesitancy. However, the reasons for lower uptake are likely to be complex, including for example being unable to travel to a vaccination centre.”
