Church acts as pop-up jab centre in bid to encourage community take-up

A NEW pop-up Covid vaccination clinic was held at a Christian church in Raleigh Street to encourage eligible members of the local black community to get their vaccine.

Vaccinations were delivered to people over 50, clinically vulnerable and carers at the RCCG Covenant Restoration Assembly in Radford.

Vaccination uptake is lower among ethnic minority communities and there is also increased vaccine hesitancy amongst these groups, national data shows.

Pop-up clinics are held to target areas where vaccination uptake is lower with several being set up in another faith institutions across the city.

Further clinics are planned in the coming weeks at Queens Walk Community Centre in the Meadows and the African Caribbean National Artistic Centre (ACNA) in St Ann’s.

Dr Ezekiel Alawale, a GP at Bilborough Medical Centre and Pastor, said: “It was great to see members of the local community come to the church for their vaccination.

“The clinic went really well and I am grateful to all of the volunteers and organisations involved in making it happen.

“We know that there is vaccine hesitancy amongst some of our ethnic minority communities.

“Anything we can do to encourage uptake and help to ease any concerns and worries is crucial.

“We hope by holding clinics in more familiar settings in the community, it will encourage people to come forward.

“It’s really important anyone eligible receives their vaccination to help protect themselves and their loved ones against Covid-19.

“I would encourage anyone eligible to get booked in for their jab as soon as possible.”

Alison Challenger, Director of Public Health in Nottingham, said: “We know that vaccination uptake has been lower in our black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in Nottingham, so it is important that we take action to address this.

“I’m pleased that the pop-up was well-attended and I look forward to exploring how else we can reach people within our communities.

“The Covid-19 vaccination is our only path out of this pandemic. It is vital that everyone comes forward for their vaccination when they are eligible.”

Anyone currently eligible can be vaccinated at RCCG Covenant Restoration Assembly, Queen Walk Community Centre or ACNA and can book at swiftqueue.co.uk/nottinghamc19vaccv.php or by calling the booking line 0115 883 4640.