AT a recent meeting of the cross-party Harlow Council Covid-19 Recovery and Resilience Group, a number of councillors asked questions regarding the take up of vaccines among the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community in Harlow.

Councillor Tony Durcan asked senior Harlow Council officer, Andrew Bramidge, if they had any statistics regarding uptake of Covid vaccines amongst the BAME community in Harlow.

Mr Bramidge said they did not have any “local” statistics, only “regional”.

Old Harlow councillor, Joel Charles praised local resident, Nila Hibbert, who runs the Harlow Ethnic Minority Umbrella (HEMU).

Cllr Charles said: “Nila gave me a briefing on the work they are doing and they are concentrating on the groups that may be more reluctant to get vaccinated”.

YH spoke to Nila Hibbert.

Nila said: “West Essex CCG and Public Health Essex, Harlow District Council, and Rainbow Services have worked with BAME impact assessment group. 

“We have contacted 29 BAME faith and cultural community groups in Harlow.

“The take up rate is well over 80%.”

We did ask the West Essex CCG for a comment but they did not reply.