Opinion: ‘Get the vaccine and beat this virus’

Nearly a quarter of adults in England have had the vaccine. This is a huge success for our country, but there is no room for complacency.

For all our progress, I’m concerned that attitudes to vaccination aren’t universally positive across our local communities. Whatever the reasons, we need to overcome them to save lives.

Over the last year, people might be forgiven for getting fed up of politicians telling people what to do. As a Conservative, I believe in liberty and trusting people to make the right decisions. But we can’t let those who peddle misinformation have a free ride.

I’m happy to shout through a megaphone from the roof of Peterborough Cathedral about the benefits of the jab, but this wouldn’t persuade all.

In fact, a rooftop rant would make me seem more like one of the anti-vaxxers, whose conspiracy theories are causing the problem. (For the record, there isn’t a New World Order involving Bill Gates, Lucifer and microchips. I hope that helps.)

So what to do? As our MP, I know some of the right people who are perhaps better placed to persuade than I am. Local doctors, community figures, business leaders and residents – the people of Peterborough.

I decided to get them together in a video and let them speak directly about their experience. Perhaps you’ve already seen it? If not, do take a look and share it around, because they have important messages.

Zillur Hussain thinks many people are scared because they are worried about side effects: “Let me tell you, I had a vaccine two weeks ago and I didn’t have any side effects.” Nor did Mohammad Choudhary a couple of days later.

The impact of false rumours worries Amir Suleman at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. He advises people to ignore “misinformation out there about the vaccine being haram or the many other conspiracy theories all over social media that are, quite frankly, contributing to infection rates and deaths.”

As Nina Bogucka pleaded: “Please don’t fall for the conspiracy theories and propaganda. The vaccines are there to help us.”

Our local NHS is doing a fantastic job, helped by local mass vaccination centres and a fantastic effort made by Shabbir Damani who has turned a Chinese restaurant into a vaccination centre in Orton Wistow.

It’s the GP practices in Peterborough who are crucial to reaching every group. Dr Modha explained how his team were engaging with the community, adding that “myself and most of my staff have been vaccinated”.

That was one of the things that struck hospital nurse, Bedrea Laftah. She watched “rows of specialist doctors of different creed, religion, faith and ethnicities” getting the vaccine. It works.

“Taking the vaccine is the only way to boost our immunity against Covid,” as Rizwan Rahemtulla of the Husaini Islamic Centre says. Immunity is collective. It’s not just someone’s individual protection at stake.

“Everyone who gets the vaccine protects themselves,” noted Laima Kontrauskaite, but they also “protect their families”. That really mattered to her.

The Chairman of the Faizan e Madina Mosque, Abdul Choudhuri, is keen to counter suggestions that the jab contravenes Islamic teaching: “There’s nothing haram in it. There’s nothing wrong with this vaccine.”

It’s ultimately a simple choice. As POSH CEO Bob Simms concludes: “After the horrific effect that the virus has had on our friends, family and loved ones, I will definitely be having the vaccination.”

Let’s be like Bob. Let’s get behind the vaccine and together, as one city, we will beat this virus.

You can see the video on my website and social media channels - http://www.paulbristow.org.uk