The General Overseer of Kingsway International Christian Centre, PastorMatthew Ashimolowo, has received shot of COVID-19 vaccine.
Ashimolowo, whose church has branches in
Nigeria and the United Kingdom, shared photos of his vaccination on socialmedia on Sunday.“I have taken the vaccination today. Verysimple and quick. I encourage all BAME (Black, Asian and ethnic minoritycommunity) to take the vaccination. Save lives. Stay Safe. Protect yourselves.We need to do this. Let’s go,” the UK-based Nigerian pastor captioned somephotos of his vaccination in a Facebook post.
There have been many conspiracy theorieschurned out especially on the social media about the safety of the vaccines.Some have also argued on whether Christians or Blacks should take the vaccinesor not.
However, in a statement, the church said,“COVID-19 vaccination reduces your risks of severe infection and the need foradmission to Intensive Care Unit.
“Evidence is becoming available thatvaccination will prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
“The known benefits of COVID-19vaccinations outweigh the known and potential risks.
“The vaccines do not cause COVID-19because they do not contain the Coronavirus.
“Taking the vaccine will protect you and other people, especially those thatare at significant risk of severe infection.”
With millions of coronavirus-associateddeaths recorded globally in the last one year, the need for vaccination cannotbe over-emphasised.
From Cairo to Cape Town, from Dar elSalaam to Dakar, African countries have joined the rest of the world to begin
mass vaccination programmes against the lethal virus.