Mosque Member Breaking Down Language Barriers At Vaccine Clinics

VERNON/ELLINGTON, CT — As patients began rolling in for both their second and first doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccines at the Al-Noor Islamic Center Thursday morning, Tehmina Naheed was at the epicenter of the activity.

The 26-year-old Vernon resident is a medical school graduate who is waiting to apply for residency programs in the fall. She wants to be a pediatrician. She has also become a driving force behind getting folks at the mosque signed up and vaccinated.

Vernon Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said Naheed is one of the reasons why it was a good idea to make the center a stop for the mobile vaccination unit sponsored by the town and Priority Urgent Care of Ellington.

"She is certainly helping to break down barriers," Purcaro said at the first stop at the mosque in February.

She said when A-Noor first began promoting the vaccination clinics, there was a bit of trepidation.

"Many people were scared," Naheed said. "But we helped them understand that it's good for everyone. Our goal was to get them here and get them vaccinated."

That wasn't always easy with a good portion of the congregation speaking two South Asian languages — Urdu and Punjabi. Naheed, though, added chief translator to her role.

"It actually was not hard at all," Naeed said. "We did have some trouble with some of the bigger words, but our goal was to assist patients and we were able to do that. I knew the background of the vaccine and we were able to get people comfortable with it."

It's also a critical time of year to get members of the center vaccinated with the observance of Ramadan beginning on April 12 and running through May 12. Though worshipers can spread out for evening prayer — and even during the dinners when the members break the fast, the vaccinations add a sense of security, Naheed said.

"Many people like to bring food in for when we break the fast," she said. "The vaccine does make it safer. We always want to get as many as possible here for Ramadan."

One person helped by Naheed was Cheshire resident Mohammad Toor, who came to the clinic at the urging of his daughter, who is friends with Naheed. It was his first of two shots Thursday.

"I feel good. I've had my 15 minutes after the shot and I am feeling OK. My body has accommodated to it," Toor said. "I was anxious. Those who don't get (the vaccine) are at high risk. I have to Thanks the Al-Noor Islamic Center."

Toor has his calendar marked for dose No. 2.

"I'm looking forward to the second dose on the 15th," he said.

Naheed was looking on proudly as Toor exited the building.

"It makes me feel awesome," Naheed said. "We will continue to urge people to get the vaccine. It will help us stay safe and get out of this pandemic."