A video campaign, including Prince Charles, urging ethnic minorities to take the COVID-19 vaccine was aired yesterday by British broadcasters.

This comes as around 16.5 million people in the UK have been vaccinated with the first dose and a new Oxford research proved ethnicity is a risk factor for severe COVID-19.

The office for national statistics shows that 85% of adults were likely to take the jab. But according to the vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahami, the remaining 15% tilts heavily on black, Asian and minority ethnic groups.  

Siju Adeoye, councillor at Chatham Central Ward and Vice chair of Medway Labour, actively campaigns and encourages people of the BAME community to take the vaccine.

She feels like she has a “duty” to go to her community and speak to those with doubts. She wants to “bust the myths” surrounding the virus, as well as, the vaccine: “We need to get people to ask the questions, there is a lot of misinformation but let’s present people with evidence”. 

The vaccine is questioned by muslim communities, but Imams across the UK reassure worshippers about the safety and legitimacy of the coronavirus vaccines. Adeel Shah, one of Britain’s youngest Imams speaks on the issue as he reminds his community that the Islamic guidance is to save lives: “We as Imams are telling our community members to whenever you are offered the vaccine, take it, there is nothing unislamic about it“.

He also spoke about how despite lockdown, his community continues to actively help the more vulnerable by running their errands and delivering small acts of kindness. “We believe serving our community is an integral and essential part of faith“, explains Adeel.

In around nine months, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the UK has:

• Assisted to 21,407 households (food and medicine deliveries)
• Donated 6,290 units of PPE to front line workers
• Delivered 673,000 pieces of PPE on behalf of the government
• Delivered 1702 meals to students and their families
• Provided Daily healthy snacks for 4 weeks for 150 children
• Delivered 10,036 food packages to front line workers
• Donated 1,617 meals to the homeless
• Donated 533 toys to orphanages

Daniel Ghufoor, GP at University Hospital Southampton and practicing muslim talks about the importance of getting vaccinated: “Right now it’s about life and death for some, especially those in the BAME community. I think it is just really important that people educate themselves and understand that from what we know so far, the benefits do outweigh the risks for the vaccine“.

As more vaccines are rolled out, it is hoped that by spreading honest information and giving reassurance to communities about the safety of the vaccine, the percentage of adults likely to take the jab will rise.

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