Coronavirus crisis: Margaret River Senior High School sees anti-vaccination protesters march against teen jab

Parents have voiced discomfort at a series of protests outside Margaret River Senior High School this week by those opposed to students receiving COVID-19 vaccinations. The peaceful protests come after Education Minister Sue Ellery voiced concerns about “extreme” protests in Perth as the Education Department rolls out a vaccination program for teenagers across the State. Police monitored the march by about 20 adults dressed in white accompanied by young children. A member of the protest group who asked not to be named said the marchers were concerned about an “untested” vaccine still undergoing human trials being administered to adolescents. “We believe these jabs need further investigation before experimenting on children,” the protester said. “We are standing for all children. We are concerned and this is our attempt to say something before it may be too late.” A pamphlet handed out by protesters said schools had a duty of care to safeguard students. “These COVID jabs are experimental,” the flyer said. “There is no guarantee of immunity.” Parents on social media said they did not want their children exposed to protesters while attending school. “I would like to see buffer zones at all of the schools so children can safely enter without being coerced or harassed in any way,” parent Misti Lyness said. “I just wondered if a buffer zone might give police more power to move people on. “There’s so many places to protest. There’s a park just 50m away from the school, and that’s a great place where we would have protests.” Margaret River resident Lisa Chatwin said she had written to WA’s police minister in support of the move and said it was not just about vaccinations. “At the moment, the national conversation and debate is about vaccination, but I mean that can change at any time,” she said. Police Minister Paul Papalia said he referred the concerns to WA Police for action. The Education Department was contacted for comment.