Concern as kids targeted
School children have been‘targeted’by anti-vaxxers.
A group approached children at Troon’s Marr College and handed out so-called information leaflets, claiming that the UK Government’s COVID-19 vaccination programme for children is “largely flawed”and that vaccinating them will have“no effect”on combating the pandemic.
The group claim children are“less likely”than adults to transmit the virus and say they have“ethical concerns”of an“unnecessary and unjustifiable risk” over the rollout to children. It’s unclear who published the leaflet but it makes reference to the HART Group (Health, Advisory and Recovery Team) who boast a team of academics in the medical profession.
Some parents have been left raging that their kids were‘targeted’while leaving Marr College and one parent fumed:“These anti-vaxxers have targeted Troon and it seems Marr schoolkids in particular. How dare they do this to impressionable children?“
Another parent added:“My son came home with a leaflet and I find it very unsettling that this group were hanging around near Marr College, handing this so-called literature out.
“It’s pure propaganda from a minority group and is not helpful to the vaccine messages we as a public are receiving from the Scottish and UK Governments. This group have been in town over the past few days, handing out leaflets, but it’s not on. I know for certain that one group of anti-vaxxers were in St Meddans Street, which runs from the town up to nearer the school. Children were targeted at lunchtime and after school and a group of three anti-vaxxers were handing out leaflets in St Meddans Street, near the rai lway station too.“
A council spokesman said:“South Ayrshire will consistently inform young people and families of the latest advice and guidance from Scottish Government based on the latest and best scientific advice. Other sources of information are available on social media as well as campaigners with a different perspective. Education involves teaching young people to think critically and we are confident they will critically evaluate what is presented to them.”
Lynne McNiven, director of public health at NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said COVID-19 vaccines were the“best way” for the public to protect themselves from the virus.
She said:“Catching COVID-19 can be serious and may lead to long-term complications. Being healthy does not reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 and passing it on. The vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19.
“The coronavirus vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Any coronavirus vaccine that is approved must go through all the clinical trials and safety checks all other licensed medicines go through before they are allowed to be used. It is very important that people make decisions based on information from trustworthy sources like the NHS and the World Health Organisation.“