Conspiracy theories on WhatsApp are causing low vaccine uptake, warns MP

By Josiah Mortimer and Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

Covid-19 conspiracies sent via WhatsApp are stopping people getting jabbed, a South London MP has warned.

Florence Eshalomi, Labour MP for Vauxhall, said conspiracy theories and false cures spread through the messaging app were breeding distrust and disinformation.

Her constituency is in Lambeth where just under one in 25 people currently has Covid – the highest infection rate of any London borough.

But only 32.1 per cent of people in Lambeth have received a booster jab as of December 21.

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 need to address concerns in some communities about trust.”

Ms Eshalomi added that racism black patients faced when trying to get healthcare was driving distrust.

Only 64.9 per cent of people living in Lambeth have had their first jab, with that figure falling to 59.5 per cent for those who have had both injections.

Less than a third [32.1 per cent] of people in the borough have received their booster vaccine.

Ms Eshalomi 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 xmas events – all Covid compliant – 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.