COVID-19 vaccine clinic held at Cleveland’s largest mosque reassures Muslim community it’s safe to get the shot

The event was organized and run by “Neighborhood Family Practice.”

Doctors tell 19 News there have been major barriers in the Muslim community when it comes to the vaccine.

Although that the vaccine is more readily available, a language barrier, misinformation, and a distrust of the government and politicians have created barriers for Northeast Ohio’s Muslim community, which was hit hard by the coronavirus. Despite that, when it comes to the vaccine there’s still reluctance.

“People are scared that this has not been tested, they are concerned there may be a chip planted during vaccination,” said oncologist Yosef Alli of the Cleveland Clinic. “A few of them are also scared that this is all a hoax – and this is a way of the government to keep a tab of us.”

To help calm the fears, local doctors who are part of this tight-knit community held the clinic at the place where the Muslim community feels safe to worship.

“This is a very challenging issue at the national level. We hope that this will even galvanize there is nothing wrong,” said doctor Mansoor Ahmed of the Cleveland Sleep Disorders Center. “This is for our existence and survival and we must all be vaccinated.”