In the UK, Labour has called for a plan to support the vaccination of black, Asian and ethnic minority communities.
The party is urging the government to publish daily data showing the progress of the vaccine roll out across people from different ethnic backgrounds; an analysis of the impact pre-existing health inequalities are having on lower uptake amongst some communities; and a vaccine communications strategy which reaches all communities and tackles disinformation.
Labour’s call comes amidst fresh concerns raised by advisers from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) over Covid vaccine uptake among BAME communities as research showed up to 72% of black people said they were unlikely to have the jab.
Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, speaking ahead of the meeting with black faith and community leaders, said: “This crisis has had a disproportionate impact on black, Asian and ethnic minority communities, and it is so important that the vaccine roll out doesn’t leave any community behind.”
Marsha de Cordova, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, said: “Black, Asian and ethnic minority people are being hit hardest by this virus. The government must ensure they are not left behind by the vaccine roll out.”
Hello, Warren Murray here, pleased to be bringing you this Thursday briefing.
Joe Biden has spent the first hours of his presidency addressing America’s crisis at home and rebuilding its leadership in the world with a series of executive actions, including rejoining the Paris climate accord, calling a halt to Donald Trump’s border wall, initiating urgent action on Covid-19 and renewing US membership of the World Health Organization. If you didn’t catch the inauguration proceedings yesterday afternoon here is a faithful account from Lauren Gambino in Washington. Don’t miss inaugural poet Amanda Gorman’s recitation of her poem The Hill We Climb. “This is America’s day,” Biden said, gazing across the sprawl of the capital city’s national monuments, guarded by a military garrison unprecedented in modern times and devoid of spectators because of the pandemic. “This is democracy’s day”:
London buses turned into ambulances to ease Covid strain
NHS staff are preparing to transport patients using two London buses that have been converted into makeshift ambulances, in another sign of the strain Covid is putting on the capital’s health services.
Most of the seats on the single-decker buses have been removed so that each can carry four patients, in an attempt to relieve the intense pressure on hospitals and the London ambulance service.
Go-Ahead, the bus company which owns the vehicles, has loaned them to the NHS in the capital to help transfer patients, including to the reopened London Nightingale field hospital:
Indonesia plans to start vaccinating general public from late April
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