Members of the BAME community spoke out to encourage vaccination uptake by the community.
Toju Ogbe from Basingstoke Afro Caribbean Catholic Association commented;
“Covid 19 is the most devastating health crisis of our generation and I am delighted that so many people have had their vaccination. The vaccine makes us all safer regardless of our ethnicities and faiths. So, we all have a responsibility to encourage those who are in any way reluctant, to help them understand that the vaccine is ethical and will make Basingstoke Safer. Our livelihoods and the local economy will be able to open up and we can live life free from the effects of this virus.”
Kishor Patel added “ The Basingstoke Hindu Society would like to encourage everyone to take the Covid 19 Vaccination. It is good for the safety of the whole community. To keep your community safe go for your vaccination when you are offered it.”
Imam Mohamed Achbib also emphasised the importance of vaccination. “The best way we can protect one another and our community is to go forward for the vaccine. It is safe and will protect not only ourselves and our families but the wider community. “
Grace Powell from the Basingstoke Caribbean Society and Friends, also highlighted the importance of the Vaccine;
“ All members of the Executive Committee have been vaccinated. It is important in the fight against Covid to accept the vaccine whilst doing all you can to follow the guidelines Face, Hands, distance . Join in and let us overcome this current pandemic.”
Effie Grant of Basingstoke United against Racism strongly recommended uptake of the vaccine.
“ We all have a part to play in ending the devastating effect this pandemic has had on people’s lives. Loved ones have been lost and lives disrupted in a way we could not have imagined. The vaccine will save lives and livelihoods and we as community have a responsibility to protect one another. If anyone has worries or concerns about the vaccine they should consult with a medical professional who will be able to allay their fears. ”
Om Gurung and Poonam Gurung commented “We would encourage all of the Nepalese community to go for their Covid Vaccination. It is safe and will help defeat the battle against this virus which has changed our daily lives and touched many of our families. Lives have been lost and this simple step will keep us all healthy and safe.”
Maria Miller added;
The BAME community groups here in Basingstoke , are really working hard to ensure that the message that the Vaccine is safe and ethical is shared throughout the community. We all have our part to play in ensuring lives can be saved and our Town can enjoy the freedoms that we had taken away by this life changing virus.
“The NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in our country’s history, has been a fantastic success story and showcases the very best of collaboration across the entire United Kingdom. I would like to thank everyone involved in this enormous effort, without whom, this would not be possible.
“It’s great to see that so many people, in my constituency have received the vaccine as we lead the world in our fight back against coronavirus.
“We are defeating this virus by the hundreds of thousands of jabs going into people’s arms every day, giving us hope as we look to a route back to normality”.