The Scottish Government – together with BEMIS Scotland and Humza Yousaf MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care – are delighted to invite you to the launch of two research reports into vaccine experience and hesitancy within African, Caribbean and Black communities, as well as a wider variety of groups who may face additional barriers to vaccination, with a particular focus on those with long term conditions or disabilities, those living in deprived areas, and certain minority ethnic groups.

  • Wednesday 24th August 2022
  • 09:45 am – 12:00 pm
  • Online Zoom meeting

Register to attend

The reports

  • Commissioned by BEMIS Scotland and the African, Caribbean and Black Inclusive Vaccinations Subgroup of the Ethnic Minority National Resilience Network (EMNRN)

    Covid-19 Vaccine Experience and Hesitancy Within African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) Communities In Scotland

    Lead researcher: Dr Josephine Adekola (University of Glasgow)
  • The Vaccination Programme: user journeys and experiences of Covid-19 and flu vaccination

    The Scottish Government research explores the practical user journeys and wider experiences of Covid and flu vaccination for some groups who may have experienced additional barriers to uptake in Scotland, particularly those living in deprived areas, those with long-term health conditions and disabilities, and certain ethnic minority groups. The Scottish Government’s research was carried out by Ipsos Mori, with the close collaboration and support of our Research Advisory Group, with representatives from Public Health Scotland, NHS Health Boards, CEMVO Scotland, Glasgow Disability Alliance, MECOPP, National Parent Forum of Scotland, Poverty Alliance, and the Scottish Youth Parliament.

    Lead researcher:IPSOS MORI

Format and key attendees

The launch event will include presentations by lead researchers, Q+A with Cabinet Secretary Humza Yousaf and a panel discussion and open Q+A with community members and key public health officials.
The full agenda and link to meeting will be sent on Monday 22nd of August to registered attendees.

  • Humza Yousaf MSP – Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
  • African, Caribbean and Black and broader minority ethnic rights holders
  • Dr Rami Ousta – BEMIS CEO
  • Lorna Ascroft - Scottish Government Head of Vaccination Inclusion
  • Dr. Josephine Adekola – Lead Researcher
  • Margaret Lance – Co-Chair of the ACB Inclusive Vaccination Group
  • Ruth Dryden – Organisational Lead for Vaccination Evaluation at Public Health Scotland
  • Lorna Willocks – Senior Medical Officer, Scottish Government
  • Rachel Thwaites – Health and Social Care Analysis, Scottish Government

To register to attend please either fill in the form linked below, or send an email to events@bemis.org.uk

Register to attend


Dr Josephine Adekola is a Lecturer in Strategy Communication/Science and Technology Policy in the Adam Smith Business School. She is a member of the Changing Cities IRT leadership team, and has research interests including disaster risk management, risk communication, community resilience, and vaccine or stakeholders engagement.

First published: 12 August 2022