Muslim and Jewish doctors launch London’s first mobile vaccination unit

Two GPs – one Muslim and one Jewish GP – have collaborated to launch London’s first mobile vaccination unit.

Two community centres in the North Kensington, one of London’s most deprived areas, are the first recipients of the pilot project, which aims to increase uptake of the Covid jab among faith groups.

Starting at St Charles Hospital, the team are visiting the Al Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, and the Venture Community Centre in the borough, on Sunday.

Led by Dr Yasmin Razak GP, who is clinical director of the Neohealth Primary Care Network team based in West London, the project is supported by Dr Sharon Raymond, the Director of Covid Crisis Rescue Foundation.

Dr Sharon Raymond, who has raised more than £115,000 to support efforts of frontline workers and the public since the start of pandemic, told Jewish News:

“The vision for this pilot project is for a London wide fleet of mobile Covid-19 vaccination units to travel to community centres and places of worship, as well as to the homes of those who are housebound or have difficulty leaving home, such as those people with physical or learning disabilities, in order to increase uptake of vaccination with the support of specialist clinicians to explain more about the vaccine to people eligible for vaccination’”

The initiative, which seeks to encourage faith communities to take up vaccinations for coronavirus is planned to be on the road every week, travelling to faith and community centres and places of worship in London.

• Anyone who wants to support or get involved can do so via Dr Sharon Raymond’s fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/coronavirus-fightback