Brent Council will benefit from almost three-quarters of a million pounds worth of government funding to support the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

It was awarded £733,333 as part of the Community Champions scheme, which seeks to promote accurate information around the vaccine and assist those most vulnerable to the virus.

In Brent, through the Brent Health Matters scheme, the funding will be used to pay for dozens of new ‘health educators’ alongside a series of other initiatives.

A spokesperson for Brent Council said: “Community champions sit at the heart of the programme and are made up of residents volunteering their time to help us understand the local needs and perspectives of these communities.

“Brent Health Matters has already seen examples of acting on feedback from the community, including a health and wellbeing advice line, myth busting communications, PPE supplies and various events such as last night’s webinar about the Covid vaccine.

“With the additional funding we will be able to rollout the programme from two wards to the whole of the borough.

“This will see us recruit and train up to 40 paid health educators; launch a grants programme for community groups and individuals to develop new and innovative ways of addressing health inequalities; and develop a rolling programme of mental health and wellbeing awareness training and a series of outreach days.”

The funding, which was announced earlier this week, comes as the UK continues apace with its Covid-19 vaccine programme.

As of January 21, more than 90,000 doses have been given in the North-West London Health and Care Partnership region.

This additional support is meant to target groups such as older people, disabled people, and those from ethnic minority backgrounds who, according to the latest evidence, are more likely to suffer long-term and detrimental impacts from Covid-19.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick added it is “vital” to provide accurate and up to date information around the vaccine.

He said: “False information about Covid-19 vaccines could cost lives.

“[This] funding will help councils and community groups expand some of the excellent work already underway and reach out to their communities to ensure they have the information they need and get their questions answered.”