Lambeth has the highest infection rate in the capital as only a third have had vaccine – and MP says it is due to WhatsApp conspiracy theories

By Robert Firth, local democracy reporter

 

One South London area, where a third of residents have not even had their first vaccine, has the worst infection rate in the capital.

Fewer than a third of Lambeth residents have had their booster jabs.

And one of its MPs says WhatsApp Covid-19 conspiracies are stopping people getting vaccinated.

Only 64.9 per cent of people living in Lambeth have had their first jab, while 59.5 per cent have had both injections.

Slightly fewer than a third [32.1 per cent] of people in the borough have received their booster vaccine, as of December 21. Another third have not even had their first vaccine.

Almost one in 25 people currently has Covid in Lambeth – the highest infection rate of any London borough.

Florence Eshalomi, Labour MP for Vauxhall, one of three constituencies in Lambeth, said false rumours and supposed cures spread through the messaging app were breeding distrust and disinformation.

She said: “In the first lockdown I remember seeing a video about mixing ginger and lemon – to drink that three times a day – and you’ll be protected.

“One of the issues that has come through is that it [the vaccine] has been quickly rolled out.

“I say speak to your clinician – don’t listen to what you’re being sent on WhatsApp.

“I’ve got two young children – they regularly get vaccinated. Why are people hesitant about this?

“[The] government needs to address concerns in some communities about trust.”

Ms Eshalomi added that racism black patients face, when trying to get healthcare, was driving distrust. She warned that until more people got jabbed in the borough, Covid infections would continue to increase.

She said: “[In Lambeth] we struggle with overcrowding, a breeding ground for germs.

“[The] number of people who are suffering from multiple health problems is really high.

“Low vax rates locally will continue to drive infections.

“I’ve been telling people I’ve been fully vaccinated, and pushing that out. I tell them if you have any concerns, speak to your clinicians and pharmacists.

“I’ve been able to go to a few Christmas events – all Covid compliant. But my message is to remind people to get their vaccine.

“People think ‘I’m generally fit, healthy, so I don’t feel I need it.’ But the message we have to say is it’s about other people. You could be spreading it and you don’t want to be responsible.”

She added that the hardest moment of the pandemic was speaking to the family of Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, a 13-year-old from Brixton who died of Covid last year.

The teenager’s family were unable to attend his funeral as they were self-isolating.

Additional reporting by Josiah Mortimer.