Kurdish Development Association encourages Covid-19 vaccine uptake

That this House commends the efforts of Shakha Sattar and the Glasgow-based Kurdish Development Association in Scotland who are urging Scotland’s Kurdish community, as well as all Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities across Scotland to get a jab, save a life and step forward to receive their covid-19 immunisation when appointments are offered; recognises that the Kurdish Development Association in Scotland is playing its part by using its community networks to condemn the various conspiracy theories around covid-19 and the vaccine to reassure communities that the vaccine is safe, has been developed by clinical experts, been through all the normal safety procedures, undergone rigorous testing and will undoubtedly save lives; agrees with the Kurdish Development Association in Scotland that it is of great importance for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities across Scotland to get immunised, given their greater risk of mortality compared to other groups, and surveys suggest they may be the least likely to accept a vaccine; and believes that targeted vaccine uptake campaigns led by community leaders can make a powerful contribution to ensuring as many people as possible receive a covid-19 vaccine, which will keep everyone safe, irrespective of ethnicity.