SIXTY BLACK majority churches are uniting, and backing the NHS vaccine rollout.

This push, which is backed by churches of different denominations comes as a third of adults in the UK have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

In a joint statement, church leaders said: “We support the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine programme, and we urge our congregations to seek out the facts about the vaccine from trusted sources.

“Faith in God demands action, so when it is my turn, I’ll be having my COVID-19 vaccine.”

Among those encouraging their congregations are Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop Tedroy Powell, Reverend Canon Yemi Adedeji, Bishop Mike Royal, Reverend Yinka Oyekan and Bishop Dexter Edmund.

Rt Revd Dr Woyin Karowei Dorgu, Bishop of Woolwich, said: “I believe it’s in keeping with God’s Word for us to love our neighbour as ourselves, as our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 22:39, because in taking the vaccine we not only protect ourselves, but our family and friends and we also save the NHS.

“I had my vaccine when I was invited to do so a few weeks ago and I prayerfully advise everyone to do the same for the Love of God and neighbour.” 

Compelled to take action after media reports revealed vaccine hesitancy in black communities, many of these churches have also led sessions, where churchgoers could ask questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Pastor Agu Irukwu, Pastor of Jesus House and head of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the UK, is hopeful that by sharing his confidence in the vaccine, members of his congregation will take it when they are invited to do so. 

He has volunteered the use of Jesus House as a pop up vaccination site. Members of the church and people within the local community will be able to come along to the church in March to receive their COVID jab.

He said: “We are committed to doing the best we can in bringing reassurance about the COVID-19 vaccine to our congregation and wider community.

“We hope that having the church as a vaccination site will go some way in doing just that.”

Emmanuel Community Church International in Walthamstow, became the first black majority church to open its doors as a pop up vaccination site on February 25.

Rev Doug Williams, pastor Emmanuel Community Church International, who has had the vaccine, said: “As a church we can not dictate the freedom of choice our congregants make but, we were happy as a church to support a borough-wide initiative in Waltham Forest to encourage residents, specially black and Asian community members, to receive the vaccination.”