The new study has shed light on the willingness of British Indians to take a COVID-19 vaccine (56%) and the impact of the pandemic on the health and culture of the Indian diaspora in the UK.
The 1928 Institute, a think tank co-founded by Dr Nikita Ved, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG), and Kiran Kaur Manku, Department of Psychiatry, are working together to research and represent the views of British Indians – the UK’s largest ethnic minority group.
Researchers have been working on two projects with the University of Oxford: The British Indian Census; a seminal piece of work for the British Indian community, and Pulse & Policy; short, topical surveys designed to poll the community on timely and pressing issues.
This new COVID-19 report is a culmination of all COVID-19 related data from these projects, findings include:
- Only 56% of British Indians would take a COVID-19 vaccine when offered, which is significantly lower than the national average of 79%.
- Women are significantly less likely than men to take a vaccine with 52% of women willing to take the vaccine, compared with 63% of men.
- 19% of British Indians feel that other people should have priority in receiving a vaccine, specifically those who are vulnerable and those in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
- 75% of British Indians face barriers in accessing mental healthcare, and men in particular have overwhelming concerns of suicide.
The full story is available on the Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics website, and also the Department of Psychiatry website.