Posted on Wednesday 17th March 2021
People eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine in Burton are being given another opportunity to book their slot at a local community centre.
A pop-up Vaccine Clinic will return to the community centre at Central Jamia Mosque Rizvia on Uxbridge Street, on Friday 26 March between 2pm and 4pm.
The drive is an effort to encourage eligible residents who are eligible for the vaccine to, book an appointment as soon as possible.
Take up of the vaccine is especially low amongst the South Asian communities in the area. Staffordshire County Council and its NHS partners are working closely with local communities to ensure as many eligible people as possible take up the offer of a vaccine.
Eligible people include:
- All those 50 years of age and over
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Adults who have received a letter from the NHS notifying them that they are clinically extremely vulnerable
- People with learning disabilities
- People over 16 with underlying health conditions
- Paid carers
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 phonelines are open now. The cut off for bookings will be 3pm on Wednesday 24 March.
Due to the current national shortage of Covid vaccine supplies we unfortunately cannot offer vaccination to healthy adults under 50 at this time.
Dr Richard Harling, Director of Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council said:
“Our figures have shown take up of the vaccine from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds is generally lower than average.
“We must do all we can to overcome any barriers or perceptions that may exist and encourage people from every community to take up the vaccination and protect themselves from the deadly virus.
“Having vaccine clinics in familiar surroundings, in the very heart of communities can encourage more people to take up the offer and book their slot.”
Mohammed Haroon, Chairman of the Burton Welfare Association and the Central Jamia Mosque Rizvia said:
“It’s great news that the pop-up Vaccine Clinic is returning to Uxbridge Street as its vital we continue to urge local residents to take up the vaccine when offered.
“The return gives us a further opportunity to remind people how important vaccination is, that its safe, effective and receiving it is not frowned upon by any religious or faith groups
“Having vaccine take up in all our communities is essential to keep people safe and allowing everybody to look forward to returning to normal and a route out of the pandemic.
“I would ask every eligible person who has not been vaccinated to book now to safeguard yourselves, your family, your friends, and community.”
Dr Shammy Noor of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Vaccination Programme added:
“The first two pop-up vaccine centres held in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent were fully subscribed and vaccinated over 400 people in a matter of hours.
“We are finding as many ways as possible to get the right message across and to beat some of the misinformation about vaccines. We are in in this together and that vaccination is the way to beat Covid.”