Age UK in Portsmouth ‘incredibly frustrated’ with vaccine misinformation as some staff decline jab offer

Age UK Portsmouth has had 90 per cent of its staff vaccinated, with more than 60 team members receiving a jab since Christmas – but almost half a dozen colleagues have opted not to join them.

While most of these employees have been bank staff, it has left the charity in a difficult position, according to chief operating officer Rory Massey.

Rory, who has helped run the group’s home support services throughout the pandemic, said: ‘It is incredibly frustrating.

‘It’s happened a couple of times where people have asked if someone coming into their home has had a vaccine, and we have had to say no.

‘And as a result, they have said they don’t want that person in their property.

‘As an employer, we cannot force people to get the vaccine.’

He added: ‘We’re not frustrated with people who are taking on the misinformation.

‘We’re frustrated with the people that are spreading the misinformation.’

The vaccines have unleashed a ‘tsunami of disinformation’, according to vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, who said vaccine hesitant groups ‘skew heavily’ towards black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities.

Pompey Pensioners has reported strong support for the vaccine among its BAME members, according to chairman Steve Bonner.

He said: 'We have several members of Asian and Caribbean heritage, and they have been vaccinated and are encouraging their neighbours to take up the vaccine.’

But the community group leader warns that misinformation is still reaching vulnerable people.

He added: ‘There’s a lot of rubbish around about microchips and live viruses in the vaccine.

‘I have spoken to four people who were worried that it was a live vaccine, but they were then convinced to get it. So hopefully we have been successful in changing a few minds.’

SEE ALSO: 600,000 more people who were shielding have been invited for a Covid vaccine

None of the major four vaccines – created by Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson – contains a live strain of the virus.

Earlier this week, the Queen has made a rare public comment about her own health in order to support the Covid-19 vaccine programme, urging vaccine-hesitant people to ‘think about other people rather than themselves’.

In a video call with health leaders across the UK, the Queen said: ‘As far as I can make out it was quite harmless.

‘It was very quick, and I've had lots of letters from people who've been very surprised by how easy it was to get the vaccine."

‘It didn't hurt at all.’

On this, Southsea resident Steve and Her Royal Majesty are of one mind.

The 74-year-old said: 'I received my first dose three weeks ago at the beginning of February. It was very quick, very efficient.

'The only side effect I had was a bruised arm for a few days. That's much better than ending up in a hospital or on a ventilator.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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