Pop-up clinics will visit synagogues in Hackney to help get people vaccinated against coronavirus, and work with communities is expected to continue until the spring to get more people protected.

City and Hackney’s vaccination programme director Graham MacDougall said Rabbis have requested the visiting clinics at synagogues.

It is one of the steps bring taken to get as many Hackney residents protected from the virus as possible, along with work to boost vaccine confidence.

City and Hackney is no longer the worst performing area in North East London but has only moved up to second from bottom for first vaccinations and third from bottom for second vaccinations.

Other moves include calling up to 2,000 unvaccinated people a week to allay their fears.

In his report for Hackney’s health and well-being board (2 September), Mr MacDougall said one in 10 people are taking a wait-and-see approach and some are declining the jab, including “a significant outstanding number” of clinically extremely vulnerable patients.

There is also a push to get more people in the 18-29 age group vaccinated.

The take-up amongst 20-24-year-olds varies. By July 26, 59 per cent of White people aged 20-24 in Hackney had been vaccinated, compared with 25 per cent of Black residents in the same age group.

Mr MacDougall said the perception of risk has changed with younger groups, and areas of deprivation also play a part in uptake.

“We see a descending level of uptake as we move into younger and younger cohorts,” he added.

Hackney Gazette: A map shows the proportion of people vaccinated in each ward in Hackney. Learn more at hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-dataA map shows the proportion of people vaccinated in each ward in Hackney. Learn more at hackney.gov.uk/coronavirus-data (Image: Hackney Council)

Medics are looking at ways to combat this in Hackney by working with community youth groups. Walk-in vaccinations are also on offer at specialist sites or participating pharmacies.

Currently, young people aged 17 years and nine months can get two doses of the Pfizer jab. They can book through the National Booking Service and go to any vaccination site.

Those aged between 16 and 17 and nine months can get the first dose and can book or walk in to some services including St Leonard’s and local vaccination sites.

Children aged 12-15 who are at risk of infection, or those living with people at risk, can get vaccines and the third dose booster.

Medics are also preparing to deliver a booster programme later this month, depending on government announcements.