Today, Friends, Families and Travellers launch a range of materials to support staff working in health and care settings to support Gypsy and Traveller people access the Covid-19 vaccine. We have also created guidance for Gypsy and Traveller individuals who require advice accessing the Covid-19 vaccine.
Everyone in society should have fair access to a COVID-19 vaccine when they’re entitled to one, and everyone should have the opportunity to remain up to date and informed on relevant information about the vaccine.
We know that for some groups who are facing longstanding inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes however, there will be barriers that may impact uptake to the vaccine, and that some people may not be receiving key, relevant health messages. Evidence from studies on uptake of immunisations broadly suggests that for Gypsy and Traveller communities, access, rather than vaccine refusal, is the most significant barrier to vaccine uptake. There are a few practical adjustments healthcare professionals can make to support access to the COVID-19 vaccine for Gypsy and Traveller communities, and a number of things that healthcare professionals can be aware of to help to ensure that people from Gypsy and Traveller communities can make an informed choice around vaccination.
The resources below will support healthcare professionals to understand barriers which may play a role in vaccine uptake, and develop understanding of how healthcare services can be more accessible to Gypsies and Travellers.
Speaking about the new resources, Josie Garrett, Health Policy Officer at Friends, Families and Travellers said:
View the resources and upcoming events:
Supporting Covid-19 vaccination for Inclusion Health groups: Watch the webinar online.
Supporting access to Covid-19 vaccination for Gypsy, Traveller and Liveaboard Boater communities: Guidance for professionals. View here.
Access to the COVID-19 vaccination and testing: Guidance for Gypsy, Traveller and Liveaboard Households. View here.
How to ensure patients living nomadically can access both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine: View the guidance for GPs.
How to support access to the COVID-19 vaccine in Gypsy and Traveller communities: Watch here
Improving access to immunisations for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people: Watch here
About Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT)
Friends, Families and Travellers is a leading national charity that works to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.
Media Contact
Lucy Hetherington, Communications Officer
Tel: 07425 419853 Email: [email protected]
