COMMUNITY LEADERS URGE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED

TWO newly vaccinated community leaders have urged Middlesbrough's minority communities to help protect themselves and others against Covid-19.

Idrees Rashid and Mohammed Asif, both part of Middlesbrough Council's Covid Champions groups, attended at the Riverside Stadium mass-vaccination centre for their first jabs.

After receiving the vaccine the two spoke about the importance of everyone in Middlesbrough making sure they get the vaccine as soon as they are offered it.

Parking is free at the Riverside and also Stagecoach Tees Flex is running a temporary shuttle bus service between Middlesbrough Bus Station and the football stadium.

Idrees, who is well known as the driving force behind the not-for-profit Middlesbrough community radio station CVFM, said: "I just want to encourage everyone within the community and especially ethnic minority communities to take up the vaccination.

"If you receive your invitation letter from the NHS make sure you take action on that as soon as you can.

"We have a great facility here at the football ground which is hosting the mass vaccination centre right on our doorsteps so you shouldn't have any excuse for not booking your vaccination get it done as soon as possible.

"I want to play my part in ending this pandemic - it's taken too many lives, affected too many businesses and affected so many people in so many ways and I want to see the back of this.

"Help us protect the wider community protect yourself your family - let's get this done."

Mohammed, Chairman of Middlesbrough's Al-Mustafa Centre on Parliament Road, said: "I can save myself, my family and people around me from this disease which is killing a lot of people.

"I would like to tell the people and anyone who has had a message or appointment letter to come forward and get it done, not just for yourself but for your family and for the community.

"Once you've got the vaccination done you can protect yourself and people around you from Covid-19."

Middlesbrough Council is working closely with community groups through its Covid Champions network.

The network supports those who may be at higher risk from Covid, including the Muslim community.

Idrees and Mohammed have been working hard to counter misinformation relating to the vaccine. Both were vaccinated on the opening day of the Riverside centre after receiving their eligibility letters from the NHS.

The NHS is currently contacting people aged 50 and over and those with a condition that puts them at higher risk from Covid.

If you are not yet eligible please don't contact your GP about the vaccine. The NHS will be in touch when it's your turn.

For more information on the Covid Champions visitwww.middlesbrough.gov.uk/covidchampions

ENDS

Press Notice 6438. 26/03/21

Issued by Andrew Pain, Senior Communications Officer on 01642 729503.

www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Follow Middlesbrough Council on Twitter: @MbroCouncil

NOTES TO EDITORS

*A video of Idrees Rashid and Mohammed Asif at the Riverside Stadium mass vaccination centre is available from Middlesbrough Council press office on request.*

Picture caption

Pn6438 Idrees Rashid vaccination - Picture shows Idrees Rashid after receiving his Covid-19 vaccination at the Riverside Stadium mass vaccination centre.