A pop-up Covid vaccine centre has been set up in a Sherwood mosque in a bid to ease mistrust of the jab within the community.
Around 40 vaccines were given at the Five Ways Islamic Centre in Edwards Lane on Monday, February 22, and doctors hope to double that soon.
This is part of a roving model and vaccination clinics will alternate between Five Ways and the As-Shifa mosque in Bobbersmill over the coming weeks.
Doctor Shahid Amin said the atmosphere has been “positive” and hopes this will encourage more people to get the vaccine.
“It is not only for BAME communities - everyone is welcome.
“I believe in engagement and keeping positive to encourage more people to get vaccinated.
Dr Amin, who has been a GP at St Luke’s surgery in Radford for 17 years, added: “We are fighting not only with the pandemic, but with the disinformation as well.
“The longer we wait, the worse it will get.”
Hamid Mehmood, an online business owner in Hyson Green, 50, was one of the patients who got their first jab today.
He said: “I feel relieved.
“I think it is important for the people to know that we do not have to this just for ourselves, but to save other people’s lives as well.
“We have to choose between getting the vaccine or spreading the virus - and we must choose the vaccine.”
Doctor Saeed Mughal, chairperson of the vaccination centre at the mosque, said: “It is brilliant - people love it.
“We are happy that we can offer people the vaccine here, at the mosque.
“The parking is accessible to everyone, so we are looking forward to welcoming more patients.”
Alison Challenger, Director of Public Health in Nottingham, said: “We know that vaccination uptake has been lower in our black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in Nottingham, so it is important that we take action to address this.
“I’m pleased that today’s pop-up vaccination centre at the mosque has been well-attended and I look forward to exploring how else we can reach people within our communities.
“The Covid-19 vaccination is our only path out of this pandemic. It is vital that everyone comes forward for their vaccination when they are eligible.”
