Views on vaccines from South Asian communities

Healthwatch Bradford wase commissioned by NHS England to engage members of South Asian communities in Bradford district on their current feelings about vaccines offered by the NHS. Key questions included whether they currently receive or were planning to receive the annual flu vaccine, and whether they would be happy to receive both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same appointment. Participants in these conversations also discussed their health concerns, their knowledge of COVID-19 and flu, their confidence in the NHS and other public institutions to protect them from the impacts of COVID-19 and whether they trusted the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 and flu vaccines.  They spoke to 28 people.

Key findings included:

• One theme that emerged repeatedly in the  focus groups was confusion over exactly how vaccines work and how they can be effective in combating the spread and symptoms of viruses such as flu and COVID-19, plus the side effects of vaccines. This includes:
• Confusion about why people feel ill after receiving a flu or COVID-19 vaccine
• A sense that receiving vaccines would not make a difference, or prevent people from contracting a virus or prevent the viruses from spreading
• Limited knowledge of the viruses themselves, including symptoms and how they are transmitted
• Concern about the effects of vaccines – both in terms of headaches and dizziness in the immediate wake of the vaccine being administered and perceived long term effects such as new allergies/illnesses, changes to monthly cycle etc
• A lack of trust that enough research had been done into the effects of vaccines

It is also worth noting the difference between the responses of the Pakistani and Bangladeshi groups to the use of community leaders such as imams in the vaccination campaign. This highlights the need to consult closely with members of individual communities, not solely community leaders, about how to best empower them to make informed choices. A fluid engagement process based around coproduction would help to minimise resentment from particular communities who may feel that they are being forced into a process they do not trust. Assumptions about the best methods of building trust should be avoided.

Some of the focus groups enjoyed productive conversations which helped members increase their awareness and knowledge, and there was a perception that much of the confusion and misconceptions outlined above could have been avoided had better information been provided earlier in the process.

Easy-to-understand, accessible yet robust information about the science behind vaccines and the spread of viruses (including how and why it is possible to feel ill after receiving a vaccine, and why a vaccine can be beneficial even if someone does subsequently contract a virus) should be made available in suitable formats, and communities empowered and trusted to make their own informed choices based on this. This should form the basis of an ongoing dialogue as our understanding grows of the evolution of viruses such as COVID-19 and the effects of vaccines.