People across Nottinghamshire are being asked to complete a short online survey to help researchers understand more about attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine research.
It comes as part of activity by a group of research organisations in the region which aims to ensure that people from all backgrounds are given the opportunity to take part in COVID-19 vaccine research.
People from all minority ethnic groups (apart from Chinese and mixed-race groups) are at greater risk of becoming very sick with COVID-19 than the white population in the UK.
The survey has been launched following a series of interviews carried out to understand public perceptions of vaccine research across different communities.
Nearly all the people involved in the interviews agreed that research was important, but some voiced wariness about taking part in vaccine research.
The findings were collated in a report published by the Centre for Black and Minority Ethnic Health, part of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands, in partnership with the Clinical Research Network (CRN) East Midlands and The University of Leicester.
Participants were a mix of different ethnicities and vulnerable groups, namely mental health, homeless and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti, senior author and Director of the NIHR ARC East Midlands and Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, said: “We need to address these concerns highlighted by each group and use these findings to find a better way to inform members of the public about how crucial medical research is.
“Recruitment and participation is vital in any vaccine trial and if people are untrusting of the work that’s being carried out, then we may not be able to continue.
“We therefore urge people to come forward and give us their views in this short survey and arm us with the crucial information needed as we strive towards a vaccine for coronavirus.”
To take part in the survey, click here.