More action is needed to protect pupils from the anti-vaxxers, warn heads

MORE must be done to protect children from vaccine misinformation and antivax protests outside schools, headteachers warned today.

They said vaccines are the key to ending the “ongoing nightmare” of Covid but some people actively try to frustrate the solution. It comes after Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said anti-vax protesters outside schools are “abhorrent” and will be arrested if they threaten children, but he stopped short of backing exclusion zones around schools.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for fast track exclusion orders to protect schools from anti-vaxxers.

Jan Balon, head of London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, said: “There is a right to protest, but I think those that deliberately target children around school gates need to be stopped.”

The Standard has revealed only 30 per cent of London children aged 12 to 15 had been vaccinated — the lowest rate in the country. In one borough, less than 10 per cent of pupils have come forward to have their jab in school, the Standard understands. Headteachers said Covid misinformation is one factor behind the slow uptake of jabs. Geoff Barton, of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Even if people do not really believe this sort of thing, they may still be left a little anxious and less inclined to take up the vaccine.”

Alex Crossman, head of London Academy

of Excellence Stratford said: “Misinformation is certainly one reason why parents aren’t taking up vaccinations at the expected rate. The Government’s public information campaign last summer had a very positive impact in communities slower to take up vaccinations. The risk is that the misinformation spread by anti-vax activists will erode that work just as infection rates rise.” Ed

Stubbs, a London science teacher who developed vaccine lesson plans promoted by the Stephen Hawking Foundation, said anti-vaxxers are targeting schoolchildren with catchy songs and emotional case studies whereas teachers use data and facts to show children the reality. He added: “It’s very unsexy compared to what is being thrown at students in the opposite direction. When you mention vaccines, any small rumour or conspiracy theory makes students quite hesitant and worried.”

Headteachers said other factors affecting the take-up of the Covid vaccine for 12 to 15s include rules that youngsters who have had Covid must wait 12 weeks before their vaccine. Another reason was confusion among parents caused by mixed messages at the start of the campaign, when the Joint Committee on Vaccination decided against vaccinations for this age group but then the chief medical officers decided in favour.

Alun Ebenezer, head of The Fulham Boys’ School, said some parents believe Covid is mild and would rather their children caught it instead of being vaccinated while others just do not want to

Those who deliberately target children around their school gates need to be stopped Headteacher Jan Balon