Boris Johnson receiving his second jab of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in June 2021
(Picture: PA)Vaccine “apathy” is slowing down the rollout of London's Covid-19 booster jab, a top health professor has warned, as figures revealed that the capital continues to lag behind other regions on vaccination.
Just over a third (33.2 per cent) of people aged 50 and over had received their autumn booster jab in London as of October 26, by far the lowest proportion in England.
In comparison, over half of adults aged over 50 in the South West had received their booster. London was at least ten per cent behind every other region, according to Government statistics.
Azeem Majeed, professor of primary care and public health at Imperial College London, warned that patients were displaying signs of “vaccine apathy” and had complained they have “already had enough” Covid-19 jabs.
“People are forgetting about Covid-19 because it’s not in the news agenda, whereas before it was on the front page for two years in a row,” he told the Standard.
“But it is still a threat and people can become hospitalised or die. It also still causes problems for the NHS, even if it is not as dangerous as it was two years ago. It isn’t over yet.”
While fears of a “twindemic” of flu and Covid cases this autumn have eased amid plateauing Covid infection rates, Prof Majeed said there was still a prospect of a significant wave of cases in the New Year.
“This current wave appears to have peaked at a slightly lower level, but the real threat will probably come later this year between December and February. Infection rates might be dropping but we are not over this yet.”
London’s vaccination coverage varies greatly according to borough, Government statistics show. While just 57 per cent of residents in Newham above the age of 12 have received two vaccine doses, the figure stands at 75.6 per cent in Richmond upon Thames.
Prof Majeed said the difference in vaccination levels was a reflection of broader health inequalities in the capital. A study by University College London, released in April, found that vaccine hesitancy in ethnic minority communities had its roots in distrust of government institutions due to “inequalities, deep rooted racism and historic injustices”. This included concerns among residents with a lack of ID, proof of address or immigration status.
The study also pointed to “barriers” in getting the vaccines to zero-hour and shift-workers.
London’s “mobile” population is also a factor behind its slower vaccine rollout, Prof Majeed said, as people who move address do not always inform their GP so vaccination reminders are sent to the wrong place.
