Pop-up vaccination centre to be held at Elland mosque

Covid-19 vaccinations are available at Elland Masjid (mosque), on Elizabeth Street in Elland from 9am-12pm on Saturday, March 6.

People over the age of 60, frontline health and social care workers or people who are classed as being particularly at-risk of becoming very ill from the coronavirus due to a pre-existing medical condition, can attend this pop-up vaccination centre to get their first vaccination without the need for an appointment, regardless of faith, or where they worship.

It’s hoped that the pop-up vaccination clinic will encourage eligible local people who are yet to be vaccinated, including members of Elland’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, do come and have their first Covid-19 vaccination.

Fawad Azam, GP and Clinical Director of Calder and Ryburn Primary Care Network (PCN) said: “We’re really keen to support all of our communities in Calder and Ryburn, including the BAME community in Elland, particularly because evidence shows that black and Asian communities are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid-19.

“I’m part of this community and was born and bred in Halifax and I have been encouraging friends and family members to be vaccinated, particularly given the amount of false information that’s been circulating in WhatsApp groups and on social media.

“I’ll be part of the team vaccinating people at the mosque, and I’m looking forward to speaking to people who are worried about being vaccinated and answering any questions anyone has on the day.”

A spokesperson from the Elland Masjid said: “The Elland Masjid is glad to be hosting a vaccination clinic in collaboration with the NHS Our faith is community driven and therefore it’s rewarding to be able to do something for our local community, especially throughout this pandemic.”

Vaccinations will be administered by GPs and NHS staff from GP practices who make up the Calder and Ryburn Primary Care Network, which covers Elland, Greetland and Stainland, Ripponden and Sowerby Bridge.

If you are a frontline health and social care worker please make sure you bring a form of identification, which proves your eligibility. Those in ‘at risk’ groups should bring the letter they received from the NHS to confirm that they are vulnerable to the virus and have a pre-existing condition.

More than 100 people were vaccinated at a pop-up centre at the Madni mosque in Halifax in February.