Vaccine clinics set up in city mosques - including after midnight

Norwich's Muslim community has praised the effort to encourage more people to take up the vaccine following the successful clinics.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney CCG is operating a roving vaccination service to reach vulnerable, high risk and hesitant groups who may not access vaccinations elsewhere.

Khadijat Adegoke, clinical pharmacist, administers the Covid vaccinations at the Norwich Central Mosque. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

More than 95pc of patients in Norfolk identified as white British has taken up the vaccine - a figure that is between 69-89pc for patients of other ethnicities.

More than 60 people were vaccinated during a two-and-a-half hour clinic at the Norwich Central Mosque, in Aylsham Road, Norwich on Wednesday.

During Ramadan, a special clinic was held at Rose Lane Mosque for congregations after prayers from 12.30am to 2.30am, reaching nearly 100 people.

Syeda Shah, left, with GP Saffana Rasul, as she prepares for her first Covid vaccination at the Norwich Central Mosque. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Syeda Shah from Norwich, who had her first jab, said: "It is quick and easy to get here. I am happy our local community are putting in the effort to offer a clinic like this.

"Especially for women. It's more comfortable to come into the mosque with other ladies that are having it done."

The queue for the men's Covid vaccinations at the Norwich Central Mosque. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Sisters Syeda Shah, left, and Jawaria Syed, centre, and their mum, Asra Zoofishan, chat after having their Covid vaccinations at the Norwich Central Mosque. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

The CCG is working with community and faith leaders where there is some hesitancy, to encourage people to take up the vaccine and counter misinformation.

Khadijat Adegoke, clinical pharmacist, ready to administer the Covid vaccination to Asra Zoofishan at the Norwich Central Mosque. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Sirajul Islam, leader of Norwich Central Mosque, said: "As a mosque community our congregation is high risk and when we congregate we want to make it safer for our congregations.

"There was initially that hesitancy, not now.

"It's comfortable for the community to come to our own place."

Jayde Robinson, senior primary care network development manager, said: "We do not want to leave anybody behind."

Jayde Robinson, senior Primarycare Network development manager at the Norwich Central Mosque where Covid vaccinations are being administered. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

Dr Jeanine Smirl, clinical director of Norwich Primary Care Network and GP at St Stephen's Gate, said as more people took up the vaccination it gave others in the community confidence to get theirs.

Jayde Robinson, left, senior Primarycare Network development manager, and Jeanine Smirl, GP and clinical director at Norwich Primary care Network, at the Norwich Central Mosque where Covid vaccinations are being administered. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

She added: "It's extremely important. We have vaccinated people who did not have a GP and do not have an NHS number.

"A lot of people they do think they have to be part of the NHS to get the vaccine."