Community Insights on disabled residents and the Covid vaccine in North East London

Healthwatch Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham, City of London, Havering, Hackney, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest undertook research on disabled people's attitudes to and concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine.  They spoke to 286 people.

Nearly two thirds rarely or never left their homes because of shielding or disability, nearly two in five had personal care needs and nearly a quarter were digitally excluded.

For most people, television and the internet were the main source of information about Covid-19.  Respondents felt well informed about mask wearing and social distancing, but poorly informed about changes to social care services.  Some felt the information too complicated, confusing or difficult to read.

Most people were willing to be vaccinated against Covid-19.  They wanted communication about the vaccine to be simple, use infographics and come in a variety of formats.  They had a number of suggestions as to how to make vaccination locations accessible.