Covid vaccine 'pop-up' at mosque 'very successful', says GP

Chingford GP Dr Asad Ashraf, who ran the pop-up at Lea Bridge Road Mosque on February 16, said it had proven “very successful” at encouraging elderly residents to accept a dose.

Residents aged over 70 were encouraged to book appointments by the mosque’s special vaccine hotline.

The were reassured that the jab is safe, effective and contains no animal products.

The local NHS has suggested it has plans for more clinics targeting harder-to-reach groups around east London in future.

A Covid vaccine pop-up clinic at Lea Bridge Road Mosque

Dr Asad Ashraf said: “As local GPs, we’ve been very aware of the challenges of vaccine uptake across Waltham Forest.

“While we’ve successfully vaccinated thousands of people in our local area, we are still keen to encourage many more eligible residents to come forward.

“We know which communities we need to target, and as I have good contacts at the Islamic association, we worked with them and the council to set up the clinic at the mosque.

“It gave people the opportunity to raise any concerns they might have, seek reassurance from familiar and trusted voices and have the vaccination in a place they know well.”

The clinic was organised by local doctors, Waltham Forest Council and the Waltham Forest Islamic Association.

WFIA vice-president Abdul Majid explained the association had consulted medical professionals and Islamic scholars to back up their support for the vaccine.

He said: “In Islam, preservation of life is of the utmost importance, so we are keen to play our part to reassure those who are hesitant about having the vaccine.

“We will continue to work with the NHS and Waltham Forest Council in this partnership to help our communities.”

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