Ethnic inequalities in Covid-19 vaccine uptake and comparison to seasonal influenza vaccine uptake in Greater Manchester, UK: A cohort study (3 March 2022)

Summary

This study in PLOS Medicine looked at the uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine in different ethnic groups in Manchester between 1 December 2020 and 18 April 2021. Covid-19 vaccine uptake is lower amongst most minority ethnic groups compared to the White British group in England, despite higher Covid-19 mortality rates. This study adds to existing evidence by estimating inequalities for 16 minority ethnic groups, examining ethnic inequalities within population subgroups, and comparing the scale of ethnic inequalities in Covid-19 vaccine uptake to those for routine seasonal influenza vaccine uptake.

The authors of the study found that ethnic inequalities in Covid-19 vaccine uptake

• exceeded those for influenza vaccine uptake.
• existed amongst those recently vaccinated against influenza.
• were widest amongst those with greatest Covid-19 risk.

This suggests the Covid-19 vaccination programme has created additional, different health inequalities. They suggest that further research and policy action is needed to understand and remove barriers to vaccine uptake, and to build trust and confidence amongst minority ethnic communities.