London rollout ‘to target Asians’

A VACCINE rollout in London will target “hardto-reach” communities such as south Asian groups, mayor Sadiq Khan has said.

Speaking from a vaccination hub in Brent, north London, Khan confirmed the number of immunisation centres would be increasing in the capital.

When the inoculation programme was first announced in December, it was revealed that London was only receiving a 10th of the vaccines allocated.

By the end of the week, Khan said there would be around 170 places (including GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospital hubs) providing the vaccine.

“We’re particularly targeting those parts of London which have previously been hard to reach,” he told Eastern Eye on Monday (18).

“That’s why we are in Brent today, which has a high population of Asians, many of whom are suffering because of this awful pandemic.”

Khan has also appealed to the government that the next phase of those eligible for the vaccine should include non-healthcare workers on the frontline. These include the police and transport staff.

“There are too many frontline key workers, people working in shops, people who drive buses, who have caught the virus and have unfortunately lost their lives,” he said. “The good news (on the further rollout) is the government is listening about other non healthcare workers being treated as a priority.”

Those who are currently eligible for the vaccine include people aged 70 and over; some people who are clinically extremely vulnerable; people who live or work in care homes as well as health and social care workers.