Dr Shahid Amin, a GP at St Luke’s Surgery in the Radford area of Nottingham.

There is no reason why Ramadan should stop anyone from coming forward to receive their COVID-19 vaccine, according to a number of leading doctors and practising Muslims in the East Midlands.

Medical leaders and the majority of Islamic scholars have united to address misinformation that suggests that receiving the vaccine will in any way break the Muslim practice of fasting during Ramadan.

Some vaccination sites across the East and West Midlands have already extended their opening hours to encourage uptake, with others welcoming recipients to ‘twilight’ vaccination sessions, pop-up clinics and special drop-in sessions where no appointment is required to receive a vaccine.

Other sites are offering more flexible booking slots and Imams are promoting participation at sermons to encourage vaccine take-up during the Islamic ‘Holy Month’ of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on Monday 12 April.

Now a host of NHS leaders – including many practising Muslims – are speaking out to encourage Muslim communities across the Midlands to continue to come forward to receive their vaccine during Ramadan.

Dr Shahid Amin, a GP at St Luke’s Surgery in the Radford area of Nottingham city centre and a practising Muslim himself, said: “Assalamualaikum and Ramadan Mubarak to my fellow Muslims. This year, the holy month will be a very different experience for all of us due to COVID-19.

“As Muslims, we have a duty to preserve life and getting vaccinated is the most effective way to prevent illness and loss of life from the virus.

“A lot of hard work has gone into bringing the vaccines to our local communities to protect our most vulnerable and we have already vaccinated millions of people across the East Midlands.

“We must now stand together and not allow this phenomenal progress to halt during Ramadan.”

The British Islamic Medical Association, an affiliate of the Muslim Council of Britain, has issued specific advice that recommends the vaccine.

The guidance also makes clear it is acceptable to receive the vaccine during Ramadan as it is not nutritional, nor does it contain any animal or foetal products. Full ingredient lists are published by the MHRA.

“Islamic scholars have made it clear that having the vaccine does not invalidate the fast,” Dr Amin continued. “However, if you are still unsure whether you should have a vaccine during the holy month, please speak to your local Imam for guidance.

“A lot of people from the Muslim community will also have their second vaccination appointments during Ramadan and it’s really important people still go to these booked appointments.

“Vaccines are highly effective but to get the best possible protection, people need to go for their second dose.”

More than six million doses of the vaccine have now been delivered across the East and West Midlands since the biggest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS began in the Midlands last December.

In the East Midlands alone, more than 2.3 million people have already received a first dose of the vaccine while almost 300,000 second doses have also been delivered.

Alison Tonge, the NHS England and NHS Improvement director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said: “Over five million people in the Midlands have already come forward to receive at least their first dose of the vaccine, as the NHS continues to roll out the largest vaccination programme in its history.

“And while the vast majority of those eligible have already come forward, NHS organisations across the region are working hard to ensure that no-one is left behind – regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.

“A key part of that work is to show that this vaccine is one that all our communities can have confidence in, as we continue to ensure that all our communities come forward to receive their vaccine – including during Ramadan.”

The efforts to encourage Muslim residents in the Midlands to come forward to receive their vaccine builds on highly successful national NHS campaigns that are already underway to encourage people from all backgrounds to receive their vaccine.

That campaign has already been supported by the BBC’s Adil Ray and Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain.

How to book your vaccine

Anyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination can book their appointment using the NHS national booking service online at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

If you can’t find a vaccination time or location near you, please call the national COVID-19 vaccination booking line on 119.

If you are still unable to secure an appointment, please contact your GP or local NHS service.