The Prince of Wales has expressed concern about the ‘variable uptake’ of the Covid-19 vaccine into some ethnic minority communities.
Prince Charles, 72, who had his first coronavirus jab with the Duchess of Cornwall (73), describes the 100,000 deaths in the UK, which were passed last month as a ‘sobering milestone’.
The remarks of the heir to the throne are in a speech he gives this week at the British Asian Trust’s webinar: Covid-19 Vaccine – Facts for the BAME community.
Charles, Royal Founding Fellow of the British Asian Trust (BAT), will say: ‘In view of my concern for the health and well-being of our ethnic minority communities, I am so pleased to be able to hold this vital discussion on vaccination.
The Prince of Wales (at a vaccination center in December) is concerned about the ‘variable uptake’ of the Covid-19 vaccine in some ethnic minority communities
‘Everyone present today represents the joint effort we have made as a society to combat this relentless pandemic.
‘Over the past year, we have all been inspired by countless reports of conscientiousness, not only from those who work tirelessly in our wonderful national health service or in social care, but also in all forms of public service, as well as – of course – in business, industry, trade and the voluntary sector.
“We needed every last spare of their selfless service and dedication to help defeat this damaging threat.”
In the address, which will be delivered via video message on Thursday, he will add: ‘I fear recently that we have reached a sobering milestone in this seemingly endless campaign, as we have marked the tragic loss of a hundred thousand souls.
‘It is clear that the virus has affected all parts of the country and all parts of society, but it is also clear that there are specific challenges in certain parts of our society, especially in some ethnic minority communities.
“What makes me even sadder is to hear that the challenges are exacerbated by the varying uptake of vaccines that ultimately provide a way out for the suffering of the past year.”
Prince Charles, 72, who had his first coronavirus jab with the Duchess of Cornwall (73), along with the Duchess of Cornwall (73), last month described the 100,000 death toll in the UK as’ a ‘most sobering milestone’.
Clarence House confirmed during the week that Charles and Camilla had their first Covid-19 vaccinations.
As over 70s, the couple is in the fourth priority group for rolling out the jabs.
The confirmation comes after the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh received the injection last month, announced in an unusual move by Buckingham Palace, which rarely comments on the private health affairs of the 94-year-old head of state and her friend, 99 .
Charles said earlier that he would get the Covid-19 vaccine ‘absolutely’ if it was offered to him.
He and his eldest son, Prince William, both contracted coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic.
Charles is described as having mild symptoms and losing his sense of taste and smell for a period of time, while according to William it was hit ‘quite hard’ by the virus.
The remarks of the heir to the throne, who is the royal founder of the British Asian Trust (BAT), is a speech he will deliver this week on the BAT’s webinar: Covid-19 Vaccine – Facts for the BAME community
There are concerns in government about the rate of vaccine uptake among some communities – including ethnic minorities.
Professor Stephen Powis, the national medical director of NHS England, said he was urging everyone who received a letter to get the vaccine without hesitation.
He said officials worked with faith groups and local community leaders to encourage everyone to come forward.
‘Do not hesitate at all. “These vaccines are safe, they are effective against Covid, they protect you, they protect your loved ones and of course they will help bring society back to normal,” he said.
The government is urged to give priority to vaccinating ethnic minority groups after research showed that people with a South Asian background experience an excessively high Covid-19 mortality rate.
Recent research has shown that Bangladeshi and Pakistani people are at an ‘alarmingly’ higher risk of dying from both waves of the coronavirus pandemic compared to British whites.
The authors said that people from South Asian groups are more likely to live in disadvantaged areas and in large, multigenerational households. A higher percentage of Pakistani and Bangladeshi men work as taxi drivers, shopkeepers and owners than any other ethnic background – occupations with a higher risk of coronavirus exposure.