A Haringey based charity has been helping encourage minority ethnic communities take up the coronavirus vaccine.
Various reasons have been blamed for lower uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine in BAME communities, ranging from vaccine misinformation like language barriers, that restrict access to the vaccine.
But the Turkish Cypriot Community Association (TCCA) has taken a lead in redressing some of these imbalances and says it has seen a change in the mentality of the community it serves.
According to the TCCA, the take up of the Covid vaccine among Turkish speakers was around 60 per cent - but it has since risen to 85 per cent.
The TCCA, which has been supporting its community since last year with food deliveries, bereavement counselling and more, said it produced a video featuring doctors, councillors, MPs, and spiritual and community leaders.
A bilingual vaccine ambassador was also recruited, helping to dispel myths and encourage uptake of vaccines.
Local leaders have seen a rise in vaccine take-up in some ethnic communities. Credit: Turkish Cypriot Community Association
Erim Metto, chief executive officer of TCCA, said: "In order for us to effect change in mentality, we need to work with the community’s apprehensions related to vaccine, from within the community.
"At this moment in time many government institutions are not trusted, and misinformation is rampant. Involving charities and allowing community leaders a platform helps redress imbalances that exist and encourage take up of the vaccine."
Credit: Turkish Cypriot Community Association
With figures moving in the right direction, TCCA went for one more push, working with the NHS and Haringey Council, to arrange for the community centre to be adapted as a pop-up vaccine site.
The centre opened its doors on March 29 and nearly two hundred local residents, many of which were previously reluctant to have the vaccine, attended.
Credit: Turkish Cypriot Community Association
Dr Mek Mehmet Yesil, Turkish speaking vaccine ambassador said: "There will always be a percentage that will not take up the vaccine, however today we supported those that may have added to that percentage." NHS England figures show 59,430 adults living in Haringey aged 50 and over have had at least one dose of the Covid vaccine by March 28.
This is 82.5 per cent of the borough's population of over 50s - the 19th highest in London.
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