Hertfordshire County Council hopes for local authorities to connect with and educate community groups who are hesitant or refusing Covid-19 vaccines.

The county council has adopted a mantra to engage and understand why some people are against being vaccinated and find out ways to combat misinformation and hesitancy.

In recent research published in December, it was concluded that vaccination deniers and hesitators should be addressed at a “local level”.

The Behavioural Change Unit (BCU) at the county council was set up in August 2019 to embed behavioural science in workstreams across the council – but in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic it switched to find best ways to combat those reluctant to take the vaccine.

It was said that local authorities need to utilise community spirit and relationships to engage with certain groups who are against the vaccine, and the need to build confidence.

In particular, some research shows that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups are less likely to trust government and health care systems and may require more persuasion.

People with lower levels of education, from lower income backgrounds, of older age groups, certain religions, and men were identified as other groups that need convincing.

Jim McManus, Hertfordshire’s director of Public Health, will be leading a Covid-19 vaccination myth- busting webinar today (February 4) at 7pm.

Father Richard Mway-Zeng, from the Catholic Parish of St Saviour in Abbots Langley, shared a message through Watford Council to help encourage those hesitant.

Meanwhile West Hertfordshire’s chief nurse Tracey Carter was seen in a video in which called vaccinations the “roadmap” out of the pandemic.