South Rugby church leaders are joining those from all denominations across the country to encourage people to get vaccinated against Covid-19. 

They call it an act of love, for neighbours, friends, family, the wider community and the world.

Don’t let misinformation put you or your loved ones at risk, they plead.

Dunchurch Baptist Church Minister, Rev Dave Woods said: “The fact is, there is much mis-information around, about vaccines, and the churches of our nation are trying to address the issue.

“We should give thanks to God for the incredibly fast development of effective vaccines and for their speedy roll-out across the country. Individually, I hope we will all want to play our part in protecting our communities by taking the vaccine when it is offered to us.”

We all long for things to return to some semblance of normality, said Tim Cockell, Rector of St Mark’s, Bilton.

He added: “It is my belief that the only way we can hope to live in the way we would like, is for all of us to be vaccinated.  Having been involved with relatives of Covid patients and witnessed the distress and fear they feel while waiting for news of their loved one's condition, and having taken the funerals of those who have died of the virus, I would urge everyone to take the injection when invited to have it.”

Rev Pat Townsend, St Peter’s Church, Dunchurch and St Edmund’s Church, Thurlaston, said: “I would echo their, ‘Stay safe. Get vaccinated.’"

Rev Townsend is one of the 15 million people in the UK to have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine. More than 500,000 had received the full two doses.1

Find out more about the coronavirus vaccine (NHS)

Watch the full video from churches of the UK.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on 18th February 2021 to include a comment from Rector Tim Cockell.