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(2)
Where policy initiatives are present (i.e. availability of information in different languages), these have often been implemented utilising simple conceptualisations of ethno-cultural identity that are generic and fixed. This has led to calls for a more nuanced approach to optimise COVID-19 vaccine uptake, one rooted in equality, respect for diversity, and cultural competence. This may redress some of the poorer public health messaging and insensitivity to people’s cultural beliefs. These fixed understanding of cultural concepts and interventions may not be helpful in meeting the needs of patients from minority groups, and concerns have been raised that poorly designed or implemented public health interventions used to reduce COVID-19 transmission, (e.g. local lockdowns) may exacerbate pre-existing inequities and stigma, with potential to generate new ones.
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(3)
An important issue that has yet to be fully explored in ethnic minority groups, is how misinformation available to individuals largely through popular and social media platforms threatens to compromise vaccine confidence. As established in a large body of literatur, anti-vaccination groups that promote fabricated or inaccurate information and conspiracy theories, are major contributors to infodemics, which may disproportionately impact those from lower educational or income levels, or ethnic minority backgrounds. This may be addressed through pro-vaccination strategies that build vaccine confidence in the population. Multi-level involvement and engagement of key stakeholders (e.g. community leaders, employers, parents) will be important to further influence behaviour change in a positive way.
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