Turning 16 means protecting himself against Covid for Muhammed

Having recently turned 16, Blackburn with Darwen’s Deputy Youth MP Muhammed Bapu wasted no time getting his Covid jab.

16 and 17 year olds in England became eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination last week.

Since then, over 1,300 16 and 17 year olds in Blackburn with Darwen have taken up the offer to protect themselves – and their loved ones – against Covid.

Muhammed Bapu, who is due to start an apprenticeship with the Blackburn-based EG Group next month, wanted to have the vaccine to protect his friends, family and community. He said:

Having my Covid jab also gives me confidence to get back to doing normal things.

Opening up the vaccine to 16 and 17 year olds allows us to safely go and watch football matches, go to the cinema, go shopping, do everything that a normal teenager used to do.

It opens up an opportunity to have a normal life again, and I think that’s amazing.

WATCH Follow Muhammed’s vaccine experience, as he gets the Pfizer vaccine at Blackburn Cathedral.

Muhammed said:

Getting my Covid vaccination was extremely quick and easy. The whole process took less than 30 minutes and the staff were very welcoming and friendly.

Everyone over 16 is now eligible to get their Covid vaccinations. The Pfizer jab is being offered to under 40s.

You don’t need to wait for a letter, text or phone call to invite you to make a vaccination appointment – just walk in to any vaccination site in East Lancashire, which offer both first and second doses.

There’s more info on where to get vaccinated at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/getmyjab.

And you can use your postcode to find your nearest walk-in vaccination site at www.bit.ly/3mOiUfx.

Prof Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen’s Director of Public Health, added:

Throughout his time as Deputy Youth MP, Muhammed has been a fantastic role model for our local young people. And by getting vaccinated now, ahead of taking up a new work placement in September, he’s helping share the message that it’s important for this age group to protect themselves against Covid.

With such a young local population, opening up vaccination to 16 and 17 year olds is very good news for Blackburn with Darwen. More young people getting vaccinated now, like Muhammed, before going back to education or taking up new opportunities in September, supports our work to build the borough’s immunity against Covid.

Research has shown that this age group are really keen to be given the chance to protect themselves with the vaccine, and in turn protect their families and wider community.

Now is the time for us to encourage our young people to get vaccinated.