Words: Damon Cooper
A well-known retired bus driver recently attended the local doctor’s surgery in Pudsey with his wife for their Covid-19 vaccination – and has encouraged others to take the jab.
“We did it in the hope it will give confidence to people to take up the offer of the vaccine,” Mohammad Taj told West Leeds Dispatch
The Pudsey couple were invited to Hillfoot Surgery, on Owlcotes Road, on Friday 12th February to take up the AstraZeneca injection – then published what happened on social media the very next day to much approval.
Mr Taj said:
“We did not experience any pain of the needle, when the injection was been dispensed and we are pleased to report no pain’s in the arm or any side effects of the AstraZeneca Vaccine. My wife, Naseem and I, would highly recommend, anyone who has doubts, as we did, about the vaccine, due to conspiracy theories and the negative campaign on social media.”
His post received well over 150 likes on Facebook and many comments expressing appreciation for sharing the news which has become a trend during the vaccination rollout from politicians, community figures to celebrities sharing their health updates whilst fighting the deadly virus that has changed all our lives.
“Thanks for sharing Taj, and well done to the team at Hillfoot who are doing great work,” Cllr Peter Carlil (Calverley and Farsley) added in response.
Mohammad Taj started work as a bus driver in 1974, then became a trade union activist, got involved with the Labour Party then became the first Muslim and South Asian national president of the Trade Union Congress in 2013. He also released a book Steering From the Front with Unite the Union in 2018.
WLD reported in December how Hillfoot Surgery was among the first in the city to administer the vaccine.