Shoah survivor, 89, among first to be given Covid-19 vaccine

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said Holocaust survivors had “managed through the toughest of circumstances” during the pandemic.

“Our beloved and brave Holocaust survivors have been shielding, and in many cases they have been alone, but typically of our survivors, they’ve managed through the toughest of circumstances and inspired us all. 

“It is wonderful that Eve has received the vaccine and hopefully many more survivors will follow,” she said. 

Ms Kugler, who was born in Halle in Germany, witnessed the Kristallnacht pogrom aged seven before later fleeing to France on a forged visa in June 1939.

There, she survived under Nazi occupation before escaping to the US in 1941, where she lived in foster homes with her sister Ruth. Their parents survived four concentration camps in France, and the family was reunited in 1946.

She continues to share her testimony with thousands of young people through the Holocaust Educational Trust, receiving a BEM last year for her services to Shoah education.