SPEAKING to Londra Gazete about the importance of the vaccine within the Turkish Speaking Community in London, Sadiq Khan calling the jabs an “a force for good and will help save many lives around the world.”
London has now seen over 1 million vaccine doses been administered, the milestone come after concerns at the start of the vaccine program the capital was falling behind compared to other regions in the country last month.
We asked if the slow start that limited getting the vaccines to more arms of Londoners was of a concern, the Mayor office said that the Government’s original PCN distribution formula meant that London missed out on its early fair share of the vaccine.
Adding that the Mayor urgently called on the government to correct this error and Minister for Covid Vaccine Deployment Nadhim Zahawi has assured that supply and distribution will increase to reflect the size, density and level of need of the city.
With more than 108,000 doses were given across the capital over the past weekend, now concerned has been raises that misinformation surrounding Covid vaccinations could be deterring BAME people from getting vaccinated.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies SAGE, has warned low uptake among minority groups poses a ‘significant risk’ to Britain’s vaccine drive.
The advisory panel blamed years of ‘structural and institutional racism and discrimination’ for vaccine scepticism among BAME communities.
Referring to the hesitations of the Turkish Speaking Community, the Mayor of London said: “The approval of three Covid vaccines offers us some light at the end of what has felt a very dark tunnel. There is a lot of dangerous misinformation out there but I want to make clear that these vaccines are a force for good and will help save many lives around the world.
“They are safe, effective and have been endorsed by all faith communities as well as the British Islamic Medical Association. My family, including my elderly mother, will be getting the jab when it’s our turn.
“I am so grateful to London’s Turkish community for the sacrifices they have made throughout this pandemic to reduce pressure on our NHS. I know that by continuing to follow the rules, getting vaccinated when you are invited to do so and staying at home, we will beat this virus in London, together.”