Over 200 residents vaccinated at pop-up centre in Hainault Muslim cemetery

Gardens of Peace Board Member for External Affairs, Mohamed Omer MBE (credit: BHRUT)

More than 200 people have been inoculated so far at the pop-up vaccination centre in The Gardens of Peace Muslim Cemetery in Hainault.

The venue in Elmbridge Road has opened up on three separate days, including one on Saturday, 24 April, during the month of Ramadan.

Gardens of Peace have worked alongside Redbridge Council, North East London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Healthwatch Redbridge to ensure the operation at the venue.

The space is an alternative option for those eligible to receive their Covid-19 vaccination in a different surrounding whilst ensuring social distancing.

Additional dates are being prepared but are yet to be confirmed.

Gardens of Peace Board Member for External Affairs, Mohamed Omer MBE said: “It was extremely important to us to host one of the days during Ramadan, as we want to show our Muslim community that it is absolutely fine to receive the vaccine while fasting.

“The British Islamic Medical Association has approved all three vaccines currently available in the UK (Moderna, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Pfizer).

“We want to protect individuals and our communities as much as we possibly can, so I am delighted with how successful this has been. However, I want to stress that our pop-up Covid-19 vaccine centre is not just for the Muslim community, it is open to all who would like to take advantage of this option.”

Describing the atmosphere as ‘very relaxed, extremely happy and harmonious’, Mohamed added that those who received their jab at the Gardens of Peace, were able to do so in ‘pleasant surroundings where they feel at ease’. 

Due to the success of the pop-up centre at Gardens of Peace, Mohamed, who has been vaccinated himself, explained: “We are planning additional dates but these have not yet been confirmed.

“Once the date is set, those eligible can register through their GP.

“I want to thank Redbridge Council, the CCG and Healthwatch Redbridge for working together and making this possible. It has been a joint effort by the citizens of Redbridge to protect our borough.

“Finally, I’d like to say even if you have received your vaccination, please continue to adhere to the current social distancing guidelines. While we know better days are ahead, the fight against Covid-19 is not over.”

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