Covid Vaccine Press Release

It is a fact that infection with Covid-19 has had a bigger negative impact on the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups. With this in mind, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo was saddened to read a report by the Royal College of GP’s highlighting that vaccination uptake is extremely low within the BAME community at just about 2% compared to the total vaccinated population.

In an effort to address the slow uptake, Pastor Matthew formed a Vaccination and Immunisation Committee as an independent expert advisory group to spearhead community efforts encouraging the BAME community to take the Covid-19 vaccine. The Committee comprised of medical experts and specialists on the matter from within the KICC global church community.

As a Global Ministry we believe in providing our members, and those who follow our ministry, with accurate and balanced information that will help inform their decisions on critical life matters such as vaccinations.

We firmly believe that vaccination may be the single most important health-promoting initiative available to mankind. We believe in the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and to save lives. And we also believe that each person should make an informed decision, rather than an emotional one based on myth.

Pastor Matthew made clear “We are not endorsing a particular medication or vaccine, but we are attempting to dispel the myths and establish the facts. The Church has an obligation to empower its local and wider community with the knowledge that is requisite to make informed decisions. More importantly as people of faith, we live our lives based on the timeless truth and wisdom of God’s Word and hope that we will allow the Spirit of God to lead and direct in this matter, as in every other area of our lives”.

With this in mind, KICC has outlined 10 reasons for people within the Black community to take the vaccine, addressing and negating some of the myths currently circulating and it is operating an open door policy for anyone desiring to discuss their concerns about taking the vaccine. In addition the Committee has drafted detailed answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions here: COVID-19 is a serious and life-threatening disease. It is over 500 times more deadly that Influenza (flu) and at its peak COVID-19 caused more than twice the number of deaths from all cancers in the UK.

2. COVID-19 can have serious long term consequences such as chronic lung problems and heart diseases.

3. There is evidence to show that people of BAME background are at a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, taking the vaccine will reduce this risk,

4. COVID-19 vaccination reduces your risks of severe infection and the need for admission to Intensive Care Unit.

5. Evidence is becoming available that vaccination will prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

6. COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. It has the approval of UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

7. The known benefits of COVID -19 vaccinations outweigh the known and potential risks.

8. The vaccines do not cause COVID-19 because they do not contain the Coronavirus.

9. Taking the vaccine will protect you and other people, especially those that are at significant risk of severe infection.

10. Be responsible and do not share false information about the vaccination. If you decide not to take the vaccine, do not discourage other people because you might be putting them at risk of significant harm from COVID-19 infections.

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