Rochdale holds first pop-up Covid-19 vaccine clinic

Seventy-seven people were successfully vaccinated at a pop-up clinic at Castlemere Community Centre on Thursday (11 February).

Over a two-hour period, 77 people over the age of 70, or over 65 with diabetes and heart concerns were vaccinated at the Rochdale Health Alliance drive.

Castlemere Community Centre was chosen due its prominence as a key location next to the Central Mosque at the heart of a BAME area (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) in the Milkstone and Deeplish ward.

Recent studies have shown vaccine take-up is significantly lower than average among BAME communities, an issue which the clinic aimed to tackle by reassuring those hesitant.

This pilot session was organised in partnership with Rochdale Council of Mosques and supported by community champions and volunteers from Living Well.

Community Champions, volunteers and staff from Living Well were on hand to offer support and also gave out masks and information to those who attended. A number of councillors and community leaders also volunteered and helped people get in and out of the centre adhering to social distancing measures.

Centre Manager Hafiz Abdulmalik said: “As a community centre which sits at the heart of the community, we knew it would be a popular choice and that the authorities would not be disappointed. It is clear from the response we have had, that people from the BAME communities are eager to get the vaccine and feel more comfortable in coming forward if it is in venues like Castlemere, where they feel at ease and find it easily accessible.”

Dobir Miah, spokesperson for the Rochdale Council of Mosques, added: “in consultation with our scholars and medical professionals, we firmly believe that vaccination is the best way to combat the pandemic and return to our normal way of life. 

“In Islam, preservation of life is of the utmost importance, so we want to do our part to reassure those who are hesitant about vaccination.”

Dr Mo Jiva, Lead clinician at the Rochdale Health Alliance (RHA), said: “It's clear that we need to look at doing more pop up clinics across the borough, and that's exactly what I will be arranging going forward. I would like to thank everyone who volunteered and supported us including the Rochdale Council of Mosques and Castlemere Community Centre.”

It is anticipated after the success of this pop up session, there will be more pop up vaccine clinics held at Castlemere and other venues across the borough. 

Lateral Flow Tests will be held in the community and Castlemere Community Centre and Wardleworth Community Centre will be hosting the first of these starting on Friday 19 February.

The RHA have a number of ‘Covid-Marshal’ roles that will support test sites and vaccination site; anyone interested in volunteering please contact Living Well on 01706 751 190.

At present anyone in the borough of Rochdale over the age of 70 can book an appointment for a vaccination by simply emailing their details (Name, Date of Birth, GP Surgery and contact number) to hmrccg.hmr.enquiries@nhs.net or by calling 0300 303 0355.