A Hindu temple is the latest place in north-west London to be turned into a Covid-19 vaccination centre.

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury, in Kingsbury Road, began issuing jabs on Thursday (January 28), with ambitions to serve more than 1,300 people each day.

Dr Sachin Patel, chairman of Harness Care, a group of 20 GP practices, said this will “send an unequivocal message to the Hindu and wider South Asian community that the vaccine is safe and permitted”.

It comes following a webinar hosted by Brent Council that sought to dispel any myths and “fake news” around Covid-19 vaccines.

Dr John Licorish, deputy director of Public Health Brent, said he would advise everyone to attend any proposed vaccine appointment where they will have the chance to ask questions about the jab.

He acknowledged the current vaccines are not 100 per cent effective and do not stop people from catching or spreading Covid-19, but argued it is a “major step” in combating the virus.

“It can protect you and reduce the risk in getting seriously ill – it is in everyone’s interests to seriously consider having it,” he said.

A major vaccination centre opened in Wembley last month, with plans for an extension of the rollout over the coming weeks.

NHS staff stressed people should only attend sites once they have been contacted to ensure the programme can run safely and smoothly.

As well as the vaccination sites in Brent, the council has reminded people without symptoms to consider getting tested regularly for Covid-19.

This, it explained, will help build a better picture of the prevalence of the virus in the borough and reduce the spread.

Dr Melanie Smith, director of public health at Brent Council, said: “It’s important that we take them because one in three people with the virus don’t have symptoms.

“So, if we all test regularly, we can help keep each other safe.”

These rapid, lateral flow tests can be booked on the council’s website.

They are offered at the Civic Centre, Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre, Central Mosque of Brent, Ealing Road Library, Father O’Callaghan Centre, Harlesden Library, Kingsbury Library, Marian Community Centre, The Granville, and the Library at Willesden Green.