Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Ethnic Minority Communities in Wales: A Community-Based Approach

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation and vaccine hesitancy disproportionately affected ethnic minority communities across the United Kingdom, including in Wales. Muslim Doctors Cymru (MDC), a grassroots coalition of Muslim healthcare professionals, played a pivotal role in countering this challenge. This paper describes the strategies and impact of MDC's work in addressing health misinformation, building trust, and promoting vaccine uptake among ethnic minority communities in Wales. Through culturally sensitive engagement, multilingual public health messaging, and close collaboration with mosques, community leaders, and local media, MDC delivered targeted outreach that bridged gaps between public health authorities and underserved populations. This case study draws on a grassroots-efforts approach to tackling vaccine inequity using community-based approaches. Findings highlight the importance of culturally competent healthcare communication and the value of community-led initiatives in improving public health outcomes during crises. MDC's model offers a replicable framework for addressing health inequalities and misinformation in diverse populations.