Councillors record video urging take up of Covid-19 vaccine

With concerns over lower uptake of the Covid-19 vaccination among some black, Asian and minority ethnic residents, councillors in Rochdale have come together to record a video encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.

The video stresses the importance of residents having the vaccine to protect themselves, their family, friends and the local community.

It also shares councillors’ personal stories about the devastating impact of Covid-19 and helps to provide reassurance around the safety of the vaccine.

The video features contributions from Councillor Daalat Ali, cabinet member for public health at Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed, cabinet member for social care and Councillor Aasim Rashid, the deputy mayor.

Over 38,000 residents across the borough have now been vaccinated, including thousands of over 70-year olds, care home residents and staff, and frontline health workers.
 

Read more: Over 38,000 people have received first Covid-19 vaccinationPublished: 12 February 2021

The two minute video concludes with the councillors declaring they will definitely be having the jab when it’s their turn and would encourage everyone else to do so.

 

 

Overall the rate of those eligible being vaccinated in the borough has been reported as 89% of residents in the top four priority groups (those over 70, health and social care workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable).

However, factors such as ethnicity and deprivation appear to be having an impact on the rates. Of the eligible people who have been given a first dose, only 56% of the Asian population have had a jab, compared with 86% in the white population, and 89% of eligible residents in the least deprived areas have been vaccinated compared with 76% of eligible residents in the most deprived areas.

A trial vaccination clinic took place at Castlemere Community Centre in Rochdale this week to try to reach more residents in groups where take-up is lower.
 

Read more: Rochdale holds first pop-up Covid-19 vaccine clinicPublished: 15 February 2021

Councillor Daalat Ali said: “The aim of the video is to provide reassurance, do some myth busting and articulate how and why the vaccine is our route back to normal life. I think it gets across some really important messages clearly and movingly. We speak from the heart about our experiences of coronavirus in the community and encourage residents to have the jab when it’s their turn.”

 

 

Dr Mo Jiva, lead clinician at the Rochdale Health Alliance, said: “This is a really powerful and persuasive video, that clearly outlines the importance of everyone taking the opportunity to have the vaccine when it’s their turn. It’s vital that community leaders come forward to encourage residents to be vaccinated. I would encourage everyone to set aside a couple of minutes to watch the video. Well done to everyone involved.”

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Residents who are over 70, along with health and social care workers and people in the clinically extremely vulnerable category are the priority groups currently being invited for a vaccine. The next group to be invited for a vaccination will be people in group five - people aged 65-69.

Over 70s and health and social care workers are being invited to phone or email to book a vaccination appointment.

Residents aged 70 or over and health and social care workers who have not yet received an invitation for a vaccine, and are registered with a GP in the borough (Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Milnrow and Rochdale) can now book an appointment at one of the four vaccination centres in the borough by calling 0300 303 0355 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm) or emailing hmrccg.hmr.enquiries@nhs.net.

Answers to key questions around the vaccination process can be found at:

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/covidvaccine