Maidstone and the Weald MP Helen Grant has joined black Conservative and Labour MPs in encouraging people to have the Covid-19 vaccine.

In a video shared by vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, MPs shared stories of loving loved one to Covid-19 in a bid to increase the number of people getting vaccinated.

Conservative and Labour politicians made a video to “unite against the spread of vaccine misinformation” and tell people it is safe, said the Government Equalities Office.

It comes after Mr Zahawi said he was concerned that vaccine take-up may be lower in ethnic minority groups.

A document released by the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) earlier this month found “marked difference existed by ethnicity, with black ethnic groups the most likely to be Covid-19 hesitant, followed by Pakistani/Bangladeshi groups”.

The report said adults in minority ethnic groups were less likely to receive vaccines than those in white groups, by between 10-20%.

Among the barriers to the vaccine uptake is the perception of risk, low confidence in the vaccine, and lack of endorsement from trusted providers and community leaders, the undated document said.

Read by several black MPs, the video message says: “We understand the fears, the anxieties, the confusion.

“We understand the genuine history of mistrust some black people will rightfully feel. Each of us has the power to protect ourselves and to help slow the transmission.”

Labour’s David Lammy talks of losing his uncle to the virus while Tory MP James Cleverly speaks of his cousin’s death.

Mrs Grant said: "We know from the early data on the Covid-19 vaccination programme that take up of the vaccine amongst black people is lower than in any other ethnic group.

"This is worrying because we also know that this disease has been shown to have a disproportionate impact upon people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

"The Covid-19 vaccines are safe, effective and have been approved after rigorous analysis by the independent regulator the MHRA.

"I would therefore urge every single person to take up their vaccine when it is offered to them as it is the best way for us to protect ourselves, protect our families and protect our communities. I know that I certainly will, as soon as it is my turn."

Other MPs who appear in the video include Kwasi Kwarteng, Chi Onwurah, Claudia Webbe, Clive Lewis, Dawn Butler and Diane Abbott.

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