Vaccine on offer at ‘pop-up’ centre
THE CENTRAL Jamia Mosque Madni in Gibbet Street, Halifax will be transformed into a oneday Covid-19 vaccination centre aimed at encouraging more members of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community to come forward for jabs from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday, February 14.
Anyone regardless of faith, or where they worship, over the age of 70, frontline health and social care worker or people who are classed as extremely clinically vulnerable can attend this pop-up clinic to get their first vaccination without the need for an appointment.
Frontline health and social care workers are asked to bring a form of identification, which proves their eligibility.
GP Nadeem Akhtar, Clinical Director of Central Halifax Primary Care Network, said: “Covid-19 has impacted all of us, but particularly those from BAME backgrounds, so the NHS and the local council are doing everything we can to encourage people to get vaccinated.
“We believe that people may be more comfortable receiving their vaccination in places that are familiar to them, closer to home and the Madni Mosque is in the very heart of our community.
“I would urge everyone eligible to get this life-saving vaccination.
“I’d also like to thank the Madni Mosque for their fantastic support in hosting and promoting the pop-up vaccination centre amongst the local community.”
The Chairman of Madni Mosque Haji Mohammed Sultan said: “I am pleased to be working with partners to offer the Mosque as a pop-up clinic to support the vaccination programme.
“In Islam, preservation of life is of the utmost importance. We want to do our part in supporting the efforts of agencies in combatting the pandemic and all want to return to our normal way of life.
I would like to reassure anyone that is hesitant to receiving the vaccination
“I would like to reassure anyone that is hesitant to receiving the vaccination that it is safe, and it is being provided to save lives.”
Earlier a Calderdale Council meeting heard those whose ethnicity was white British were more likely to have the vaccine but BAME groups significantly were more likely to say they were unwilling or unsure.
A Healthwatch Calderdale report said concerns included side effects, safety and potential long term effects on health.
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