After reports that three children were injured by protestors, Sajid Javid called anti-vax campaigners ‘idiots’.
The health secretary said that the group of campaigners was causing’so much harm’ and was becoming an ‘increasing problem’ in the country.
The comments of the minister come as Labour’s KeirStarmer called for exclusion orders to allow councils to use exclusions orders to stop antivaccine activists from protesting outside schools or spreading dangerous misinformation.
Kay Burley, Sky News’s correspondent, was interviewed by Mr Javid. He said that “these people are doing so much harm.”
Sajid Javid condemned anti-vax campaigners as’spreading vicious lie’ and described how they were causing so much damage.
‘First, you have three children who are physically and emotionally injured. Children go about their normal activities, going to school every morning, but you have these idiots outside of school spreading vicious lies.
It is becoming a growing problem with the passage of time.
Javid stated that an exclusion area was an option, but that other methods should be used to combat the campaigners at a local level.
He continued: ‘There are options, in terms of whether it’s an exclusion zone, or other potential action, I think it’s got to be done at a local level with local police.
“If you have injured children, that’s a crime and I hope that police can track them down.”
He said, “The Home Office quite rightly has taken this very seriously aswell and they’ve been providing advice to schools as part of that.”
“We have a unit within the Home Office that will provide advice directly to teachers about their options.
“I believe there is only so much you can do at the end. You will still have people, for example, who are sending completely fake letters parents.
“They will be sending letters through parents’ doors, completely fake with advice that is based on lies. They have to understand that if the vaccine is not what they want, it is their choice. They will not be forced to.
“I think it’s a terrible decision to make, but that is their choice. But they shouldn’t be telling the truth to the common people. Parents who are trying to take care of their children.
During his interview, he also stated that he was ‘leaning toward’ making mandatory the administration of Covid vaccines to all NHS staff.
He said around seven per cent of healthcare workers — or 100,000 people — were still yet to be vaccinated.
The health secretary stated that while an exclusion zone is an option, other methods should be used at a local level.
Labour’s Keir Sternmer demanded that councils be allowed to use exclusion order to stop anti-vaccine activists protesting outside schools
As they march through London, demonstrators hold banners and signs to protest against Covid-19 vaccinations.
But he stated that the no jabs, no jobs’ policy would boost uptake as well as protect patients. Ministers take this very seriously.
Care home staff are required to have two doses of covid vaccines.
Care homes warned that they would have to close or break the law if they wanted to adhere to the policy. Staff will be leaving the sector, which already has too many employees.
Mr Javid answered a question about obligatory jabs for NHS staff: “I’m leaning toward doing it.”
‘There’s around 100,000 that are not (vaccinated in the NHS) at this point but what we saw with the care sector is that when we announced the policy… then we saw many more people come forward and do the right thing and get vaccinated.
“That’s what I hope. If we can do it with the NHS, then we will see.”
Priti Patel, the home secretary, stated that it was unacceptable for anti-vax campaigners to harass members of the public outside schools following the anti-vax demonstrations.
Meanwhile eAccording to The Daily Telegraph, Nadhim Zahawi, ducation secretary, said that the ‘disgraceful acts of a small minority must end’.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), revealed that 79% of the schools it surveyed had been attacked by anti-vaxxers.
It comes as Labour called on councils be able use exclusion orders for harassment outside schools.
Sir Keir Sterner said that it was’sickening’ that people opposed to vaccinations were protesting at the school gates.
He stated that it was sickening that anti vax protesters spread dangerous misinformation to children during protests outside schools.
“Labour believes that the law surrounding public spaces protection orders, (PSPOs), must be updated urgently so that local authorities can quickly create exclusion zones for anti vax protests outside schools.
PSPOs are used to disperse people from public areas. They can also be used to move against protestors outside abortion clinics and allow police to seize alcohol from certain places.
However, obtaining permission to impose one takes time. Labour calls for an expedited process to prevent harassment and intimidation of children outside of schools if the school leader, the chief constable of the local police, and Labour agree to it.
According to the party, the PSPO could be up and running in five days. It could also be up and running for six months.
ASCL stated previously that 13% of the 526 responses received from schools eligible for Covid vaccination programme for 12-15-year olds reported seeing protesters right outside their school, and 20% reported protesters in their local area.
18 schools reported that protesters had gained access to their school and protested inside. 20 schools said they had received threats of bodily harm to staff.
ASCL reported that most harassment by anti-vaxxers was done via emails threatening legal action. However, the association stated that staff were threatened with physical harm and some protesters have gained access school sites.
Last week, anti-vaxxers invaded Buckinghamshire secondary schools. They photographed students as they were being bombarded with leaflets that claimed ‘taking #clotshot won’t save your granny’.
Three secondary schools were attacked by a mob of 11-year-olds, shouting that the Covid vaccine would also cause paralysis.
Pupils were also “harased” with flyers that contained a QR code and a link to an Anti-Jab song.
Police were called at Sir William Borlase School in Marlow. Meanwhile, teaching staff had to intervene at The Beaconsfield School or the Amersham School.
The scene changed when children between 12 and 17 years old became eligible for Covid jabs under the most recent vaccination programme.