Pop-up vaccination centre to be held at Halifax mosque

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 vaccination centre to get their first vaccination without the need for an appointment. This will help with the ambition to vaccinate all those in the top four priority groups set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) by 15 February.

If you are a frontline health and social care worker please make sure you bring a form of identification, which proves your eligibility.

Nadeem Akhtar, GP and Clinical Director of Central Halifax Primary Care Network (PCN) 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 local community.

“I would urge everyone eligible to take this opportunity 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 that it is safe, and it is being provided to save lives.”

Debs Harkins, Director of Public Health at Calderdale Council said: “I know some people have concerns about the vaccinations, but I want to reassure the community that the approved vaccines are safe and have undergone rigorous testing and confirm that no meat derivatives or porcine products are present. They are suitable for Muslims, vegetarians and vegans.

“Our BAME communities continue to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, so it’s really important that these communities get the necessary protection. Getting vaccinated as soon as you are eligible will help protect yourself, your families and your communities.”

If you’ve had your first vaccine dose already, the NHS will contact you when it’s time for your second dose. For most people this will be scheduled around the 12th week after their first dose. You should not attend the Madni Mosque for your second vaccination.

If you are not yet eligible for your vaccination then the NHS ask that you continue to be patient and wait for the NHS to contact you directly.

The NHS is working hard to make sure those at greatest risk are offered the vaccine first and people will not be able to make an appointment until they have received their invitation.