Vaccine deployment minister Nadhim Zahawi attended a Hackney session last night organised with the aim of getting Charedim in the top priority groups vaccinated.

A number of health, civic and Jewish groups were involved in the arrangement of the four-hour session, which was also supported by local MP Diane Abbott and Hackney Mayor Philip Glanville.

The Covid jabs were administered by doctors from within the community and volunteers from the Hatzola emergency response team. Hatzola members have been supporting the London Ambulance Service throughout the pandemic.

Binyomin Stern, president of the Union of Orthodox Congregations and a Hatzola trustee, said:

 “Across the community, we understand the urgent need for as many people as possible to be vaccinated.  We are very grateful to Hackney Council and Hackney CCG for helping us organise this vaccination event.”

Mr Zahawi tweeted: “Huge thanks to local NHS, Hackney Council and first responders in the Hatzola Ambulance Service who are encouraging vaccination in the Jewish community. Vaccines will save thousands of lives and help us get out of the pandemic.”

At the Ostro Fayre Share Foundation, which is engaging “community champions” from the Charedi population to promote vaccine uptake and compliance with public health measures, chairman Maurice Ostro was delighted by the turnout on the night.

“It is great to see so many people from the Charedi community receiving the vaccine this evening.  They are role models in the fight against Covid-19 by showing that they have not been swayed by fearmongering or misinformation.”

Joel Friedman of the Interlink Foundation said the trial event has demonstrated how a community could unite “to deliver on our united goal of making vaccination more accessible.  We hope to see more of such events in the near future and to continue this collaborative approach in supporting local communities across the country.”