Covid-19 vaccinations

Covid-19 vaccinations are now being rolled out across Birmingham and Solihull to priority groups such as the over-70s and the medically-vulnerable. While most people are willing – even eager – to receive their vaccination as speedily as possible, some groups within the Christian community (and other faith communities) are suspicious about doing so. Reasons for hesitation (and in some cases active resistance) include general suspicion of those in authority, previous bad experiences of the NHS, misinformation being spread via social media and concerns over whether the content of the vaccines breaches faith-based laws about what can be ingested.

Pastor Emmanuel Adeseko of Erdington-based New Covenant Ministries was recently featured on BBC news (Link HERE), saying that more should be done to encourage Afro-Carribean communities to sign up for Covid vaccines. His comments were made following reports that the uptake of the vaccine was as low as 50% among some of Birmingham’s most vulnerable communities. Pastor Adeseko’s own father Nathaniel died of Covid-19 in April 2020.

Pope Francis, 84-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church, received his vaccination in early January, saying, ‘There is a suicidal denial (about the vaccine) which I cannot explain, but today we have to get vaccinated.’

The West Midlands Combined Authority is hosting a roundtable discussion for midlands faith leaders, community groups and anyone with a question about the Covid-19 vaccine, from 2.00pm to 3.00pm on Monday 1 February. West Midlands Mayor Andy Street will be joined by a panel of experts, including representatives from the NHS and Public Health England, who will share the facts about the vaccine. There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions during the event. Register to attend the roundtable discussion via THIS LINK.

‘Healthy Brum’ and the Birmingham and Solihull NHS Clinical Commissioning Group have arranged five online webinars to allow the public to ask any questions they may have about the vaccination. The webinar panel members will include representatives of the Birmingham and Solihull CCG, Paulette Hamilton (Councillor for the Holyhead Ward) and local representatives. The webinars will in each case run from 6.00pm to 7.30pm:

• Thursday 4 February for North Birmingham (Register HERE)
• Tuesday 9 February for South Birmingham (Register HERE)
• Thursday 11 February for East Birmingham (Register HERE)
• Wednesday 24 February for West Birmingham (Register HERE)
• Thursday 25 February for Central Birmingham (Register HERE)

For further information about the Covid-19 vaccine, click HERE.