Only 56% of British Indians would be
willing to take a vaccine to protect themselves against COVID-19, with women in
the community being further unlikely to opt for the shot due to fertility-related
concerns, PTI reported a University of Oxford-related think tank as saying on
Thursday.

The research has been done by the
1928 Institute, a platform developed to shine a light upon British Indians, the
UK’s largest minority group, and highlight their views. The study takes up the
issue of low receival of the COVID-19 jab amongst the community, addressing the
authorities to initiate a campaign tailored to the requirements and concerns specific
to the British Indians.

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“Despite being one of the hardest hit
communities by COVID-19, British Indians show reluctance in taking a vaccine.
Much of this reluctance stems from the community saying they do not feel informed
enough about the vaccine, its benefits and its impact,” the report titled ‘Vaccines,
The Pandemic and British Indians’ says, as per PTI.

The report covers the
response from 2,320 British Indians between the months of July and December,
2020.

It further cites campaigns in various
languages co-produced with leaders and influencers within the community as a
possible component to such a drive, in order to remove apprehensions regarding vaccination
from the minds of the members.

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Reportedly, over 56% of respondents
replied with a ‘yes’ or ‘absolutely yes’ to taking the vaccine, however ‘unsure’
was the second-most prevalent answer, with 31% going for it.

While both men and women expressed
concern regarding long-term effects, questions of a rushed production affecting
pregnancy and fertility were highlighted by women.