‘Community champions’ have invited residents to an event where they can learn more about coronavirus vaccines, health, and wellbeing in East Reading.

Volunteers, health professionals and council officials have set up a health and wellbeing event to encourage people to learn more about Covid-19 vaccines and encourage vaccine uptake.

It will be free to attend, with food and refreshments and stalls from local organisations.

The event has been set up with the help of the council’s community health champions team, and is being presented by the Alliance for Racial Cohesion and Equality (ACRE).

It is taking place at the Pakistani Community Centre at 373 London Road from 11am to 3pm on Sunday, October 23.

It comes amid a Covid-19 and flu vaccine rollout this autumn.

READ MORE: Reading gears up for winter as hundreds test positive for Covid each week

One of the organisers, Zara Mansur, said: “People are showing a lot of hesitancy and expressing uncertainty about vaccines, for example, they didn’t know there would be a fourth jab, which has led to some hesitancy.

“We’ll be there to spread information about why it’s so important and why the flu vaccine is also important to get as well.

“A lot of people don’t know where to find correct information, so we’ll be there to provide that and spread awareness, to inform people so they can make important decisions about their health.”

Reading Chronicle: A flyer for the health and wellbeing outreach event at the Pakistani Community Centre in London Road, Reading, taking place from 11am-3pm on Sunday, October 23. Credit: Alliance for Racial Cohesion and Equality / Reading Community ChampionsA flyer for the health and wellbeing outreach event at the Pakistani Community Centre in London Road, Reading, taking place from 11am-3pm on Sunday, October 23. Credit: Alliance for Racial Cohesion and Equality / Reading Community Champions (Image: Alliance for Racial Cohesion and Equality / Reading Community Champions)

Weekly case rates in areas of East Reading are relatively low.

The Government has published data on case numbers by Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs).

In the seven days up to Saturday, October 8, three people tested positive in the Wokingham Road area and eight tested positive in the Palmer Park area.

In the Wokingham Road area, 73.3 per cent of people have received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, 69.4 per cent have received a second dose and 52.5 per cent of people have received a third dose or a booster.

Meanwhile, in the Palmer Park area, 67.3 per cent of people have had a first dose, 62.7 per cent have had a second dose, and 43.7 per cent of those in the area have had a third dose or booster.