'Don't listen to rumours' says Northampton councillor after fringe groups make false claims vaccine is unsafe for BAME community

A borough councillor has spoken out against 'false rumours' she has heard from her Northampton's residents that the vaccine is harmful to the Black and Asian Minority Ethnic community.

Councillor Rufia Ashraf says she has been worried by reports that fringe groups have set out to "scare" ethnic minorities into refusing the Covid-19 vaccination.

She is now calling on her residents "not to listen to gossip".

She said in a statement: "The negative information circulating is false. The vaccine is safe. It will prevent the

spread of this terrible disease and it will help society overcome the pandemic.

"I want to reassure the BAME community. Please do not to be scared of vaccination, as the vaccine is safe.

"I am concerned about the bad publicity and the negative rumours circulating.

"I urge people not listen to gossip.

"If people are worried or confused about the vaccine, they need to speak with their health professionals.

"We all need to come through this pandemic together and the only way is to have the

vaccine.”

It comes after evidence suggests the virus itself has disproportionately affected people of BAME heritage.

Black and Asian minority ethnic (BAME) groups have been found to be up to 50 per cent more likely to die if they contract Covid-19 by Public Health England (PHE).

In 2020, the British Medical Association has urged authorities to start assessing the risks for ethnic minorities, as recommended by PHE in a second report.

The impact has been linked to underlying illness and inequalities in society, including limited housing.