Mariyam gets vaccinated after researching jab myths

Covid vaccination uptake is going well in Blackburn with Darwen with 88%* of people aged 18 and over having had one jab and 69%* now fully vaccinated – thanks, in part, to plenty of local people sharing their personal vaccination stories.

Mariyam Emam’s story will resonate with many young women who’ve had concerns about the infertility myths associated with the vaccine.

30 year old Council officer Mariyam was first offered a Covid jab in January. Throughout the pandemic, Mariyam has been part of a team that’s provided support through the Help Hub, community testing and vital engagement work.

As a frontline worker, Mariyam and her colleagues were offered the jab to ensure they were protected as they carried out their roles. While her colleagues were happy to take the vaccine at the earliest opportunity, she felt hesitant.

Mariyam, who comes from Blackburn, said:

For me, it was very early in the vaccine roll-out. There were lots of theories flying around, and I was seeing things shared on social media warning young women who want to have a family not to get vaccinated. I felt like I hadn’t had time to think about it properly and make a decision.

My parents, grandparents and siblings were having the vaccine, and I talked about it with them a lot, but I just didn’t feel confident in having it back then.”

I wasn’t an ‘anti-vaxxer’ – my reasons for not getting vaccinated were just very personal to me. I carried on sharing information about local vaccine clinics and the NHS bus with my friends and family, while doing my own research into the vaccine.

Mariyam started to notice the decline in Covid case rates and deaths in areas with good vaccine take-up, and felt satisfied that the jab was working.

With the availability of more vaccines in Blackburn with Darwen in May, through pop-up vaccine clinics and walk-in sessions, Mariyam felt there were lots of opportunities to get the jab.

She continued:

I thought, it’s being made really easy for us. What am I waiting for? And I was telling other people to have the jab without going myself! I booked my appointment the next week.

Mariyam had her first jab in early June, and will have her second in August.

There are lots of opportunities for BwD residents to get vaccinated right now. The NHS bus is going to different locations in the borough over the next week, and there are pop-up clinics at Revidge Fold United Reformed Church and Didsbury Street mosque. Clinics at Blackburn Cathedral and Pharmacy 2U in Blackburn town centre now accept walk-ins, which means you don’t need to make an appointment.

Lancashire and South Cumbria Covid-19 Vaccine Director Jane Scattergood said:

It’s just as important to get vaccinated now as it was on day one of the programme, and it has never been easier to walk in and get your jab while you are out and about.

With everyone over 18 now eligible and plenty of walk-in sites open, if you haven’t booked your first dose yet, then today should be the day you make that happen and play your part in keeping us all safe.

Get the details on vaccine clinics and how to make an appointment at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/getmyjab.

(*Figures correct up to & including 19 July 2021)