Medics and strictly Orthodox women discuss vaccine hesitancy at Women’s Health Event

Medics and strictly Orthodox women in London came together to discuss vaccine hesitancy earlier this month in a first-of-its-kind event for the Charedi community.

Experts from the NHS and local authorities arranged the Women’s Health Event with CHANA, a Jewish charity focusing on fertility support, and the Interlink Foundation, which acts as an umbrella organisation for the Charedi community.

Organisers said Charedi women “had the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and receive expert advice on a range of health topics including oral health, fertility, winter illnesses, and immunisations for all ages, including the Covid-19 vaccination”.

Dr Tehseen Khan, a local GP who led the session, said vaccination “prepares the body to fight serious infections that might happen in the future… any missed vaccination could lead to an outbreak, such as the Polio case in Israel recently”.

Dr Khan said Covid-19 was “still circulating and still a serious disease”, adding: “It is important to still get vaccinated, to stay protected for longer, and particularly important for expectant mothers, to keep both of you safe. They are not ‘live’ vaccines and cannot give you Covid-19 infection.”

Dr Veronique Berman from CHANA reassured the audience that there was “no evidence to suggest that Covid-19 vaccines affect fertility”, adding: “You do not need to delay having a family after vaccination. Vaccination will help prevent Covid-19 infection and its serious consequences at this time in your life.”

Another topic of interest was oral health, which was led by NHS consultant Dr Charlotte Klass, who described the benefits of fluoride varnish for preventing dental decay in children, a treatment available at dental surgeries.

Panellists for the Charedi event were described as “recognisable and relatable to the audience”. Other sessions have been run for Muslim Londoners, Black Londoners, young Londoners, pregnant women, and those with learning disabilities to “provide trusted information [on vaccinations] and to encourage uptake”.

NHS England said it could not comment on the vaccine uptake in the Charedi community since the official statistics do not detail religious status.

It builds on an event last year, in which three leading Jewish GPs – Ellie Cannon, Leonora Weil, and Charlotte Benjamin – were quizzed by young Jews on everything from vaccine effectiveness to effects on fertility.