Posted on Friday 26th February 2021
People eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine in one of four wards in Burton are being urged to book their slot at a local community centre.
A pop-up Vaccine Clinic will be held at the community centre at Central Jamia Mosque Rizvia on Uxbridge Street, on Friday 5 March between 2pm and 4pm.
The drive is an effort to encourage eligible people from Anglesey, Shobnall, Eton Park and Horninglow who have previously been offered a vaccine, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Take up of the vaccine is especially low amongst the South Asian communities in the area. Staffordshire County Council and local Clinical Commissioning Groups are working closely with local communities to ensure as many eligible people as possible take up the offer of a vaccine.
Eligible people will include:
- Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
- Frontline health and social care workers
- All those 65 years of age and over
- Adults who have received a letter from the NHS notifying them that they are clinically extremely vulnerable
- People aged over 16 in clinical risk groups
Take up is strictly by booking only. Eligible people in these communities are being urged to call Staffordshire County Council on 0300 111 8050 to book their vaccine appointment.
Appointments must be booked in advance and phone lines will be open from 9am on Friday, Monday and Tuesday only. The cut off for bookings will be 5pm on Tuesday 2 March. No walk ins will be allowed.
Dr Richard Harling, Director of Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council said:
“We know that people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds are more vulnerable to Covid-19 and worryingly, uptake of the vaccine in these communities is generally lower than average. It’s incredibly important that everyone in Burton who has been offered a vaccine takes up the offer to protect themselves from this deadly virus. Hopefully, by bringing the vaccine clinic into the communities, we can encourage more people to take up the offer and book their slot.”
Spokesperson for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent CCGs Dr. Shammy Noor said:
“We really need to emphasise to everyone that the vaccination is completely safe and despite anything you may have heard, there are no good reasons for not getting the vaccine if you are offered it. Vaccination is the only way to keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe and get us out of this pandemic.”
Mohammed Haroon, Chairman of the Burton Welfare Association and the Central Jamia Mosque Rizvia said:
“We know that people living in more deprived areas and BAME communities are more at risk from the virus, so it is important that we all continue to do everything we can to protect ourselves, our families and our friends. After so much heart-breaking news, we have finally some good news in the form of a safe and effective vaccine which does not contain anything that any religious person or person of no faith should have any concerns about. I would urge everyone who is eligible, irrespective of background, to book their vaccine slot, and protect themselves, their families and friends against this virus.”