Pendle Council to receive funding to boost take up of Covid-19 vaccine

A Community Champions scheme will now be developed locally to ensure that accurate health information reaches people of all ages and backgrounds across the borough.

Coun. Mohammed Iqbal MBE, leader of Pendle Council, said: “It’s so important that we protect those most at risk of Covid-19.

“There is a lot of misinformation out there about the vaccine so this funding will help us to get up-to-date factual information to all our residents.

“In particular, we’ll be reaching out to our older and younger residents, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds, who according to latest evidence are more likely to suffer long-term impacts from Covid-19.

“We hope that by dealing with the many myths around the vaccination, residents will feel less anxious when they’re invited to have it.”

Pendle Council has been awarded just over £90,000 to develop its Community Champions scheme.

It will work with a number of organisations including Building Bridges Pendle; Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale CVS; charities; schools and colleges and faith groups.

Coun. David Whipp, deputy leader of Pendle Council, added: “The vaccination will save lives so it’s vitally important we bust the myths around it.

“We hope that by getting out the facts, local people can make an informed choice and take up the vaccination when it’s their turn.”