The Erdington COVID19 Taskforce is launching a new campaign to encourage residents to take the COVID19 vaccine when it is offered to them.

Erdington: Be Safe and Vaccinate responds to growing concerns that people across the district are refusing the vaccine, including a large number from ethnic minority backgrounds.

In support of the campaign, Taskforce member, Erdington MP Jack Dromey, will be writing to 15,000 homes across the constituency to highlight the importance of vaccination.

Preparations are now underway for appointing campaign ambassadors to work with residents in those areas where reluctance has been identified. The focus will be on Polish, South Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities.

Leaflets in a variety of languages including Arabic, Urdu, Polish and Romanian will be distributed to homes while campaign posters will also be displayed in shops and food outlets.

Campaign bosses also intend to recruit ward councillors in Castle Vale, Perry Common, Stockland Green, Kingstanding, Erdington, Gravelly Hill and Pype Hayes to drive home the safety message while supporting efforts aim to target the homeless and vulnerable with the help of local foodbanks, landlords and housing associations.

Spokesman Steve Sharma, communications officer for Witton Lodge Community Association, which facilitates the taskforce, said: “We know, from the work we carry out, there are people across the constituency who, for one reason or another, are reluctant to take the vaccine. This campaign aims to reassure them that it is safe to vaccinate.”