NHS Vaccine Registry seeks more BAME volunteers

Researchers are calling on more people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and the over 65s to volunteer for clinical studies through the NHS Vaccine Registry.

Currently, ethnic minorities are under-represented in vaccine clinical trials taking place across the UK. Of the 270,000 people who have already signed up to the NHS Registry, only 11,000 volunteers are from Asian and British Asian backgrounds, and just 1,200 are Black, African, Caribbean or Black British. This is in contrast to 93 per cent people from non-ethnic minority groups that have already signed up.

According to Public Health England, people from Black backgrounds are statistically more likely to be diagnosed with coronavirus, while death rates are higher for Black and Asian ethnic groups.

With six different vaccines currently progressing in the UK thousands of people from different ages and backgrounds are urgently needed to help speed up their development and ensure they work effectively for the whole population.

Additionally, other vulnerable groups such as people with chronic diseases or over the age of 65 years are needed to take part in trials and also being urged to volunteer for clinical trials.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Coronavirus can affect anyone regardless of their background, age or race. To ensure we can find a safe and effective vaccine that works for everyone, we all need to get involved. That’s why we are urging more people to support our incredible scientists and join the 270,000 people who have already signed-up so we can speed up efforts to find a vaccine to defeat this virus once and for all.”