Dr Hilary slams Covid vaccine conspiracies affecting BAME community

Good Morning Britain’s Dr Hilary has condemned the ‘superstitious rubbish’ being shared online about the coronavirus vaccine, as it was revealed that the majority of the BAME community are unlikely to take their jabs.

The morning news programme revealed that 72% of people in the Black Asian and minority Ethnic community have said they are ‘unlikely or very unlikely’ to take the vaccine.

Weather presenter Sean Fletcher introduced a video which showed prominent members of that community, such as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, refuting the conspiracy theories being shared online.

“Misinformation seems to be affecting the uptake of the vaccine within the BAME communities,” Mr Fletcher said before the clip was played.

A dose of the vaccine is prepared for use (Image: PA)

“You wouldn’t tell a child around the world to not take a polio vaccine and that’s what we’re saying here. It’s not based on scientific knowledge.”

Within the video, false claims such as the idea that the vaccine contains pork, or the live virus itself, were debunked.

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Piers Morgan added his shock at the statistic, saying: “We know that members of the BAME community are more vulnerable to the virus, that the horrible irony of this.”

The show’s health editor Dr Hilary Jones said that ‘hideous’ social media was behind the spread of the misinformation on the vaccine.

Dr Hilary Jones on GMB

“This is an extraordinarily powerful campaign and I’m so pleased that those involved have done this as they are role models to the BAME community who are more at risk,” he said.

“I think a lot of the hesitancy stems from the problems of the past – BAME community populations haven’t been at the forefront of health policies for so long, and they are wondering why they are now.

“It’s not for any sinister reason, it’s important that we answer all these questions.

“They are overrepresented in the NHS, that’s why they have had such a high level or mortality compared to other populations.

“They have done an outstanding job for the NHS and for care homes and we need to support them.”

Piers Morgan blasted the people ‘spewing their conspiracy theory c**p’ that are influencing BAME people’s opinion of the vaccine, adding that “social media was a lot to do with this.”

“High profile people are putting their names to this stuff, spreading it around, it is so dangerous,” to which Dr Hilary agreed, adding: “it’s superstitious rubbish”.

Good Morning Britain is broadcast every weekday from 6:30am on ITV.