Impact of vaccines the focus of seminar with three leading Jewish GPs
Doctors Ellie Cannon, Leonora Weil and Charlotte Benjamin quizzed by young Jews, with everything from the jab's effect on fertility to getting ill from taking it discussed
Jenni Frazer is a freelance journalist
Students and young people were urged this week to make a distinction between Covid-19 and the fall-out from the pandemic, as they took part in a first of its kind seminar held under the auspices of the London Jewish Forum.
The discussion, which was partnered across the community by major Jewish organisations, is part of a number of conversations organised by the Greater London Authority and supported by Public Health England.
The event showcased three leading Jewish GPs — Dr Ellie Cannon, Dr Leonora Weil, and Dr Charlotte Benjamin — together with the dean of the London School of Jewish Studies, Rabbi Dr Raphi Zarum, giving a religious perspective.
In an open discussion, young people who have not yet been able to receive a vaccine because of their age — the vaccine rollout is taking place in reducing age cohorts — were able to ask questions and receive reassurance from the medical team.
Dr Cannon, well-known as Dr Ellie in TV and newspaper appearances, took part in the Oxford trials last year, as a vaccine guinea pig; Dr Benjamin, a Hendon GP, is vice-chair of the Central London Clinical Commissioning Group, and is the clinical lead for vaccine rollout in the region; while Dr Leonora Weil is a Public Health doctor working with a variety of different communities to increase COVID vaccine uptake as part of her role at Public Health England, London Region.
Among the issues raised by the youthful audience were concerns that COVID vaccines could affect fertility, or whether people could get ill from having the vaccine. Dr Benjamin said that it was expected that all young adults aged 18 plus would have the opportunity to be vaccinated by the end of July; Dr Weil said good information could be found on the Royal College of Obstetricians website, but none of the doctors said that there was any indication so far that fertility might be affected from being vaccinated.
Rabbi Zarum said there was a religious imperative for people to “look after themselves and their lives”, and encouraged younger people to take the vaccines as soon as their turn came.
Dr Cannon said: “The aim overall is to protect people from severe illness, hospitalisation and death. But there is a difference between getting the virus, and the ill effects of the pandemic. The vaccine will protect us from going back to 2020, with its job losses, cancelled exams.”
The doctors also spoke of the “huge impact” on mental health of the lockdowns and their “massive effect on young people. Dr Benjamin said one of the few “silver linings” to come out of the pandemic was that much more attention and financial help was being given to the mental health sector. All the doctors spoke of the importance of seeking data-based help but also talking to experts, and not spreading obvious misinformation on social media.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
