Sir Lenny Henry has written an open letter urging black Britons to take the Covid-19 vaccine

Sir Lenny Henry has urged members of the black community to get the Covid-19 vaccineSir Lenny Henry has urged members of the black community to get the Covid-19 vaccine
Sir Lenny Henry has urged members of the black community to get the Covid-19 vaccine

Film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton, author Malorie Blackman and radio DJ Trevor Nelson are among the signatories of an open letter written by Sir Lenny Henry urging black Britons to take the Covid-19 vaccine.

An open letter urging black Britons to take the Covid-19 vaccine has been written by Sir Lenny Henry.

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What the letter said

In the letter, actor and comedian Sir Lenny acknowledged the "legitimate worries and concerns" that people feel, adding: "We know change needs to happen and that it's hard to trust some institutions and authorities."

He said: "But we're asking you to trust the facts about the vaccine from our own professors, doctors, scientists involved in the vaccine's development, GPs, not just in the UK but across the world including the Caribbean and Africa.

"Many of whom are our relatives, many of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the people of this country from this pandemic."

What the data shows

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests that older people from black African backgrounds are more than seven times as likely as white British people to have not received a coronavirus vaccine.

The rate for people in the black African group receiving a first vaccine dose was estimated to be 58.8% - the lowest among all ethnic minority groups.

The estimated rate for people identifying as white British was 91.3%.

Who else supports the letter?

Sir Lenny's letter, which is supported by the NHS, has also been signed by high profile figures including former footballer Garth Crooks, author Reni Eddo-Lodge, Mobo Awards founder Kanya King, activist Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Olympian Denise Lewis and historian David Olusoga.

It has been turned into a short film directed by A United Kingdom's Amma Asante and starring actors Adrian Lester, David Harewood, Naomie Ackie and Adjoa Andoh.

The letter adds: "Don't let your understandable fears be what holds you back.

"Don't let your concerns be the thing that widens racial inequality in our society.

"Don't let black people continue to be disproportionately impacted by this terrible disease.

"Many in our community say they do not want to take the vaccine, much more than other groups.

"But the fact is we have been disproportionately affected by the virus, many of our loved ones have died. Don't let coronavirus cost even more black lives."

The film will be aired across Sky, BT Sport, Viacom, Discovery, A&E and ROK and Channel 5 on Tuesday from 8pm.

Sir Lenny: ‘I want people to be safe’

Sir Lenny said: "I felt it was important to do my bit and so I wrote this letter to black Britain asking people not to get left behind, to not continue to be disproportionately impacted and to trust the facts from our doctors, professors and scientists, not just in the UK but across the world, including the Caribbean and Africa.

"I hear and understand the concerns which people of all backgrounds are wrestling with, but which are particularly concerning in black communities.

"I want people to be safe, I don't want people to die or end up in hospital because of Covid-19. So I'm saying, when your turn comes, take the jab.

"I want to thank everyone who has signed the letter and dear friends who took part in Amma's beautiful film."

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