Qari Asim, Imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds, has joined the volunteering drive to support the largest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS at Craven Road Medical Practice on Friday 5 February from 3pm.
By joining the volunteering effort, Qari Asim is looking to encourage others to volunteer as well as asking people to make sure they attend their vaccination appointment when invited.
With millions of vaccines now being delivered across the country, local organisations in the city are continuing to stress the importance of getting protected once invited to do so. At the same time a reminder is being issued that even after having a vaccine, people need to continue to follow the COVID-19 guidance to keep themselves and others safe.
Qari Asim will be joining staff and volunteers at Woodsley Primary Care Network (a network of GP practices working together) running the vaccination service from Craven Road Medical Practice. Local volunteers are supporting the work of vaccinators in a range of roles. These include meet and greet, marshals and car park supervisors. Woodsley Primary Care Network is one of 19 in the city.
Qari Asim, Imam of Makkah Mosque, said “It is really important that we all contribute to the effort to fight this cruel pandemic that has impacted every single one of us. By having the vaccine when you are invited you will be playing your part in protecting lives. Equally, if you can volunteer at any of the vaccination sites, please do take up the opportunity; by volunteering you will be helping the NHS and your community.
“Like all faith leaders, I want to stress that taking the vaccine is a vital part of the solution to break the cycles of lockdown and be with our loved ones again. There is no religious reason for you not to take the vaccine.
“It is our ethical duty to protect ourselves and others from potential harm. By taking the vaccine, you will be protecting yourselves and fellow community members from being infected by deadly coronavirus.
“I’d also like to recognise the enormous efforts of Team Leeds to roll out the vaccination programme across the city. This has been a real partnership approach involving the NHS, Leeds City Council and our community and faith groups. Volunteering today gives me the chance to contribute in a small way.”
Dr Jason Broch, GP and Clinical Chair for NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group, added “We really welcome the support Qari Asim has given the programme to date. He has already produced videos, a blog and a sermon to help people from the Muslim faith understand why they should get vaccinated when invited to do so. I am delighted that we could welcome him to one of our vaccination services in the city.
“When you’re eligible to have the vaccine, you will be contacted and invited to book an appointment. Please do not contact your GP practice or any other NHS service – the NHS will contact you.”
For more information about the vaccination programme, please go to nhs.uk/CovidVaccine. To view Qari Asim’s videos and blog as well as other information for communities in Leeds please visit www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/Covid-vaccine
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Issued by the communications team at NHS Leeds CCG. You can contact the team on 0113 84 35528 or 0113 84 35470. Alternatively please email us: leedsccg.comms@nhs.net