In this exclusive article for African Voice, Minister for Covid-19 vaccine deployment Nadhim Zahawi urges readers to get the life-saving jab.
Easter this year is once again very different to normal. While I’m grateful this long weekend has given me time to enjoy a moment of calm with my wife and children, I understand that for many, they will be missing the opportunity to celebrate the life of Christ with their loved ones.
Many of my relatives and friends are also now preparing for the holy month of Ramadan, a period to reflect on life’s blessings, empathise with those that are less fortunate than ourselves, and of course, to spend precious time with those we care about most.
In my role as Vaccine Deployment Minister, I have been honoured to meet Christian leaders, as well as other faiths, and speak to members of Black African and Caribbean communities about how they have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and their concerns around the vaccine.
Whether my conversations with church leaders have been on Zoom calls, in virtual conferences or in pop-up vaccination centres, what has shone through most is the love they all have for their communities, and their determination to protect and reunite congregations as soon as is safely possible.
Both COVID-19 vaccines, from Pfizer and AstraZeneca, have been supported by Christian leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Pope Francis and the Bishop of Woolwich Dr Karowei Dorgu.
And it’s not just Christian leaders who support the vaccination programme.
Earlier this week, comedian Sir Lenny Henry and a host of famous Black British faces including Thandie Newton and Chiwetel Ojiofor have signed a letter to their families, friends and communities encouraging them to take the vaccine.
Among them was Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover, who said on the One Show:
“We have seen the impact of Covid on the Black community. I think it’s time that we break that cycle and not allow for the continued inequalities to happen in our community. We need to encourage, support and remind people of the devastation that we’ve experienced and to say this is our way out of it.”
I understand that there is work to be done to build trust between the Government, the NHS and Black communities. Rest assured, we in government are working closely with local councils, charities and faith groups to build these bridges and make sure everyone has the information they need on vaccines.
And it’s working – over 31 million people have now had a vaccine dose, which is helping to significantly reduce transmission, protect the NHS and save lives.
But there is more to do. Statistics on vaccine uptake published last Monday show that 58.8% of over-70s who identify as Black African and 68.7% of those in the Black Caribbean community have had their first COVID-19 jab. This compares with 91.7% of White adults over 70.
It is vital no one community is left behind, and unprotected, during this vaccination programme.
Easter is a time of reflection, renewal and family gatherings. As much as we wish we could celebrate as usual, we must all do what we can to protect the most vulnerable in our society and stop the transmission of the virus. This means following the rules and limiting social contact until restrictions are lifted in the summer and, crucially, accepting the vaccine when the offer comes.
Vaccination invitations don’t expire, and it will always be free. So if you are in one of the first nine cohorts and have yet to take up your offer, it isn’t too late.
We urge you to trust the science, and get the life-saving jab to protect yourself, your family, your friends. By doing so, you are doing your bit for your community, as we look forward to being reunited once again.
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