COVID-19 vaccine uptake amongst underserved populations in East London
Research type
Research Study
Full title
COVER-ME: Covid-19 vaccination coverage among underserved populations: Developing and Evaluating community-based interventions in East London minority ethnicity (ME) populations; underserved migrants and persons with low income.
IRAS ID
316860
Contact name
Dominik Zenner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, days
Research summary
Vaccination uptake is low amongst minority ethnicity (ME) and migrant populations due to socioeconomic, cultural, and health system factors. A recent review concluded the need to develop strategies that address barriers affecting vaccination uptake among migrants and refugees; to identify their heterogeneity and co-design suitable interventions improving vaccination uptake. Research exploring knowledge and beliefs in the context of cultural and linguistic diversity, barriers to care, or describing effective co-designed interventions, where end users are “meaningfully involved” are scarce. This evidence gap is particularly relevant for vulnerable communities in East London with its highly diverse population, high levels of deprivation and population density, which has been significantly affected by COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. This can partly be explained by common risk factors such as, low socio-economic status, and overcrowded accommodation. As with previous vaccination programs, vulnerable population groups may be underserved. Vaccine acceptance rates in high-risk populations of COVID-19 including people of EM backgrounds are low. Particular ethnic groups include individuals with Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin, and those from socioeconomic disadvantaged backgrounds; this has particularly affected uptake of the second dose of the vaccine.
Under-vaccinated population groups have higher individual risk, resulting in a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality, but may also contribute to increased transmissions and future COVID waves in specific communities. There is need for boosters in the event of wanting immunity and/or emergence of more COVID-19 mutations and lessons will be applicable to other vaccination programmes, and health promotion interventions.
This study will be conducted on a smaller scale as a randomised pilot study to assess feasibility, practicality and acceptability. Furthermore, it will also iron out issues in recruitment and randomisation prior to the definitive trial. A larger study in the future, will then be fully powered to evaluate efficacy of whether the intervention designed to increase vaccination uptake for underserved at-risk populations (migrants and persons with EM backgrounds) in East London increases uptake significantly.REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0587
Date of REC Opinion
21 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion