Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government has taken to tackle (a) misinformation and (b) disinformation about the covid-19 vaccine among people from BAME backgrounds.

We are working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to help social media platforms identify and take action against incorrect claims about the virus in line with their terms and conditions. This includes anti-vaccination narratives that could endanger people’s health. The Counter Disinformation Unit looks for trends on social media platforms so that it can work with them and other partners to respond to misleading content rapidly.

Senior clinicians, Ministers and officials are also holding regular briefing sessions with stakeholders, medical charities, faith groups and black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) community leaders about the vaccines we have authorised for use and the vaccine rollout. Additionally, the Government is sponsoring content on social media channels and a range of news media outlets to provide information and advice to communities across the community.

The communications plan includes targeted information and advice via TV, radio and social media and is being translated into 13 languages. Print and online material, including interviews and practical advice has appeared in 600 national, regional, local and specialist titles including BAME media for African, Asian, Bangladeshi, Bengali, Gujarati, Jamaican, Jewish, Pakistani and Turkish communities.