The Prince of Wales has expressed concern about the “variable absorption” of the Covid-19 vaccine in some ethnic minority communities.
Prince Charles, 72, who, along with the 73-year-old Duchess of Cornwall, had his first coronavirus attack, described the death toll in the UK last month as “A most worrying landmark.”
Comments from the heir to the throne are at a main address he is giving this week at the British Asian Trust Webinar: The Covid-19 Vaccine – Facts for the BAME Community.
Charles, the founding founder of the British Asian Trust (BAT), will say: “Given my concern for the health and well-being of our ethnic minority communities, I am so happy to introduce this crucial discussion about vaccination.
The Prince of Wales (pictured at a vaccination center in December) has expressed concern about the “variable absorption” of the Covid-19 vaccine in some ethnic minority communities
“Everyone present today represents the collective effort we have made as a society to combat this ruthless pandemic.
“In the last year, we have all been inspired by countless accounts of debt dedication not only from those who work tirelessly in our wonderful National Health Service or social assistance, 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 reserve of their service and altruistic commitment to help defeat this dangerous threat.”
To the address, which is due to be delivered via video message on Thursday, he will add: souls.
“It is clear that the virus has affected all parts of the country and all sections of society – but it is also clear that there are certain challenges facing certain sections of our society, especially in some ethnic minority communities.
“What saddens me even more is to hear that those challenges are made worse by the variable uptake of vaccines that ultimately gives us a way out of last year’s suffering.”
Prince Charles, 72, who, along with the 73-year-old Duchess of Cornwall (presented together in December), received his first coronavirus attack, described the death toll in the UK as 100,000, last month as “the most worrying milestone.”
Clarence House confirmed during the week that Charles and Camilla received their first Covid-19 vaccinations.
At the age of over 70, the couple is in the fourth priority group for launching jabs.
Confirmation comes after the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh received the injection last month, announced by an unusual move by Buckingham Palace, which rarely comments on the private health problems of the 94-year-old head of state and her consort, 99.
Charles had previously said that he would “absolutely” receive the Covid-19 vaccine when it was offered.
He and his eldest son, Prince William, both contracted coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic.
Charles was described as having mild symptoms and lost his sense of taste and smell for a while, while it was reported that William was hit “quite hard” by the virus.
Comments from the heir to the throne, who is the royal founding patron of the British Asian Trust (BAT), are in a keynote address this week at the BAT webinar: Covid-19 Vaccine – Facts for the BAME Community
There is concern in the Government about the rate of vaccine uptake among some communities – including some ethnic minorities.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director, said he was urging everyone who receives a letter to receive the vaccine without hesitation.
He said officials worked with faith groups and local community leaders to encourage everyone to show up.
“Don’t hesitate at all.” These vaccines are safe, they are effective against Covid, they will protect you, they will protect your loved ones and, of course, they will help society to return to normal “, he said.
The government was urged to prioritize the vaccination of ethnic minority groups after research showed that people in South Asia continued to record disproportionately high rates of Covid-19 deaths.
Recently published research has shown that people in Bangladesh and Pakistan were at an “alarmingly” higher risk of dying from coronavirus in both waves of the pandemic than British white people.
The authors said that people in South Asian groups are more likely to live in disadvantaged areas and in large, multigenerational households. A higher proportion of Pakistani and Bangladeshi men work as taxi drivers, traders and landlords than any other ethnic background – occupations with a higher risk of coronavirus exposure.