New ‘Vaxi Taxi’ Scheme Supporting Vaccination Efforts in the Capital
Background
The Department for Transport recognises that users of taxi services tend to be the most vulnerable in our society. Taxis are disproportionately used by the elderly, those facing illness or disability, as well as young mothers. These individuals very often don’t have access to private transport and must rely on taxis and public transport to get around.
Despite not being considered key workers, taxi firms across the nation have been a vital element of the country's healthcare response. The ‘Vaxi Taxi’ scheme is the latest way in which taxi drivers are being utilised to assist healthcare professional care for the public.
What is ‘Vaxi Taxi’?
Vaxi Taxi is an initiative aiming to assist those with transport difficulty get to and from their coronavirus vaccination. The pilot scheme funded wholly by the charity ‘COVID Crisis Rescue Foundation’ (CCRF), aims to increase the rate of people getting the vaccine, who might have put it off because of transport limitations.
The CCRF is a crowdfunded organisation that has been fighting back against coronavirus. Prior to this, they have been helping provide PPE, medical equipment and even running an oxygen delivery service for hospitals in need. Run by Dr Sharon Raymond, the Vaxi Taxi scheme is just the latest way they are helping our frontline workers in this pandemic.
Their main role will be to ferry people, vaccines and other vital medical equipment to and from vaccination centres and hospitals. They are also aiding medical staff set up these vaccination stations.
Importance in BAME Communities
It’s a worrying statistic that members of BAME communities are more likely to suffer from coronavirus than any other demographic. A report by SAGE in January showed that vaccine hesitancy was also highest in those who identify as Black or Black British, with up to 72% saying they were unlikely to get the vaccine.
UK Faith leaders, particularly in the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths have been celebrating the Vaxi Taxi scheme. Many of the temporary vaccination centres are being set up in local community and faith centres. In doing so, they believe that there will be a much bigger uptake of the vaccine. Being able to receive the jab in familiar surroundings and supported by community leaders seems to be having a beneficial effect on people’s attitudes toward the vaccine.
The scheme is limited to London at the moment, but the success of this scheme may inspire similar responses across the nation. To donate to this worthy cause, you can do so via the CCRF’s crowdfunding page here.
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