A Wollongong mosque is now running a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for its community.
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A number of people dropped by Omar Mosque today to get their first AztraZeneca vaccine shot.
Staff from NSW Health along with medical practitioners were at the mosque in Gwynneville to administer the vaccination.
An Arabic interpreter was also on hand to assist those who could not speak English.
Muhammad Rafique, one of the first people to get jabbed at the mosque, welcomed the experience.
"I'm so glad the mosque has chosen to run a vaccination clinic. It definitely played a major part in me deciding to get the jab," the 24-year-old said.
"I had reservations about getting the AstraZeneca because of all of the misinformation around but my fears were allayed by the wonderful medical staff."
Mr Rafique, who owns Bams, Burgers and Wraps in Gwynneville, urged his fellow Muslims to get jabbed as a matter of urgency.
I'm now pleading with my fellow Muslims to do the same and get vaccinated sooner rather than later.
- Muhammad Rafique
"Do not delay, this is too important," he said.
"I'm so glad the mosque opened this clinic because I'm sure a lot of people in the Muslim community have some reservations about getting vaccinated.
"Hopefully getting a jab in the mosque, where they feel comfortable, will encourage them to bite the bullet and book in to get vaccinated.
"I was always going to get a jab but the fact the mosque was offering jabs definitely sped things up for me.
"I'm now pleading with my fellow Muslims to do the same and get vaccinated sooner rather than later."
Mr Rafique also thanked the nurses and medical practitioners for coming down to the mosque to administer jabs.
"We are so very thankful that they have left no stone unturned to help all members of our vast community," he said.
"We should be going to them because they are working so hard trying to help everyone. The fact they have come to us shows how much they want to help. I thank them for that."
Omar Mosque chair Munir Hussain said the decision to run a vaccination clinic was primarily made to encourage Wollongong's Muslim community to get vaccinated.
"The number one reason we have done this is because we thought the Muslim community will feel at home having a jab in the mosque," he said.
"We also want to invite all the community to the mosque to have a jab. It doesn't matter what denomination they are, they can come and get a jab."
Mr Hussain said plans were in store to run more vaccination clinics at the mosque over the coming months.
Visit omarmosque.org.au for details.
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