Celebrities and healthcare professionals have come together in a short film to encourage South Asians to get vaccinated — as part of the #Immunityforthecommunity campaign.
Singer-songwriter Navin Kundra, producer, presenter and performer Parle Patel and BBC broadcaster Nadia Ali have come together in a video to encourage the South Asian community to get #ImmunityfortheCommunity by taking up the Covid-19 vaccine.
The video, released on Friday 23rd, also features GP Carter Singh MBE, Ashanti Omkar FRSA, Lyca Radio and Dilse CEO Raj Baddhan, Channel S Presenter Kuhinoor Kabir and Dr Henna Anwar.
In the video, the media figures and medics each hold up a sign with the hashtag #immunityforthecommunity, and share that they have had or will be having the Covid-19 vaccine and call on those watching to have theirs when they’re invited to.
Their message is communicated in eight different languages – English, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Hindi, Sylheti and Urdu. Those featured in the video were motivated to take part in response to the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has had on the South Asian community and to help boost vaccine uptake.
Watch the video here:
Figures released this week show that vaccine uptake among ethnic minorities in England has tripled. Between 7 February and 7 April 2021, there has been an increase of 235%, overtaking the national average among all ethnicities of 154%.
Uptake among Bangladeshi communities in England has increased from 29,382 to 152,408 and among Pakistani communities it has increased from 88,956 to 367,780.
The prominent figures from the world of entertainment and medicine will each share the video across their social media platforms from today.
Navin Kundra said: “Vaccines are the best way to protect people from coronavirus and will help save thousands of lives. They’re the only way out of this pandemic and I’ll be taking my Covid-19 vaccine when I’m invited.”
Nadia Ali said: “I really hope this inspires others to go and get their Covid-19 vaccination.”
Parle Patel said: “This is a great campaign and so important!”
Ashanti Omkar said: “My parents had their vaccinations. It gave us a real sense of peace of mind. It is important for us to take this and move on with life.”
The release of the #immunityforthecommunity comes as more than 33 million people in the UK have received their first dose and more than 11 million people have had their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
It’s the latest in a series of initiatives by public figures and healthcare professionals within the South Asian community to encourage confidence in the vaccine and dispel misinformation.
Currently everyone aged 45 and over, those with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of Covid-19 and health and care workers and carers can now receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
People who have been invited by their GP or the NHS to get the Covid-19 vaccine can arrange their vaccination by logging on to the national booking service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.
Covid-19 vaccinations can be booked without an NHS number and regardless of an individual’s immigration status – this will not be checked.
For more information on the Covid-19 vaccine, visit: www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination
