Gurjit Kaur Bains is leading a stepped up community awareness drive to encourage all British Indians to get their vaccines to protect against coronavirus.
The Conservative Party Councillor from Gravesham has joined hands with Labour Councillor Paulette Hamilton to create a cross-party initiative to encourage all black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) councillors from across the country to play their part in fighting misinformation and urging people to take the vaccine when offered by the National Health Service (NHS).
Cllr Gurjit Kaur Bains said: “As elected councillors we understand our communities and throughout this pandemic have been helping to provide support to our most vulnerable.
“This initiative is cross party because we all have a duty to protect our communities and fight misinformation. The message is clear, the vaccine is safe, it will protect you and your family.
“We all have a role to play so I urge everyone to have conversations with their own friends and families about the importance of taking the vaccine. Let’s work together and fight this virus.”
The campaign involves a group of 150 councillors signing an open letter to their communities encouraging them to take the vaccine, alongside videos seen over a million times on social media.
Signatories to the open letter include black and ethnic minority councillors from across the country, including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Medway from diverse backgrounds, targeted at British Indians as well as other minority ethnic community as well as different religious groups.
The campaign has received the backing of the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer as well as Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi.
Cllr Paulette Hamilton said: “The vaccine not only protects the individual it protects their families, loved ones and the wider community. The vaccine is our way collectively as a nation to beat this deadly virus; do not let misinformation put you or your loved ones at risk.
“I understand the concerns people may have so please do speak to your GP or local Public Health officers to get more advice. It is our duty as elected councillors to encourage our communities to take the vaccine and this is why I am supporting this cross-party campaign.”
The campaign seeks to encourage people not only to take the vaccine but also to have important conversations with loved ones and relatives about getting the protection they need from the virus.