Resistance to mandatory vax

Campaigners against mandatory vaccination have confirmed Margaret River will almost definitely frustrate the national COVID-19 immunisation rollout. One major rally and a well-attended private forum in recent months heard concerns about mandatory vaccination as well as perceived loss of liberties and discrimination. WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson was named WA’s “vaccine commander” last fortnight, and already signalled “vaccine passports” of some sort were likely. These were the concerns which led to Margaret River woman Helen Allan running in this year’s State election for the No Mandatory Vaccination party. She told the Times forcing anyone to take part in a “medical trial” was morally wrong and broke the Nuremberg Code set up at the end of World War Two. “Margaret River is a place well-known for artists, free thinkers, retired professionals, and people who value nature and the environment,” Mrs Allan said. “I do not think it sits well with anyone who values freedom to force another human being to inject themselves with something they do not want. “The majority of Australians understand what freedom means, the Anzacs fought for it, and yet we see the current Australian Government erode all those hard-fought-for freedoms. “If you have to agree to have a needle in order to be free, you are not free.” Local mother Kate Jenkins was involved in earlier forums discussing vaccine-related concerns. “I do not speak on behalf of any group, although I know that there are at least hundreds of people locally who share my views,” she told the Times. “I believe the Government will have a difficult time achieving vaccine target rates in this region, given how many people I am personally aware of who do not intend to receive the COVID jab. “These people, those whose views I share, are not ‘vaccine-hesitant’, but rather 100 per cent determined not to allow ourselves to be guinea pigs.” Data reported at the weekend showed just 23 per cent of the Augusta-Margaret River shire had received their second vaccine shot — among the lowest in the State. Busselton reported 31.1 per cent had their second shot, ahead of a much stronger primary jab showing. South West Nationals MLC James Hayward said the low vaccination rates were worrying. “In the Augusta-Margaret River shire, vaccination rates should be higher,” he said. “Having low vaccine rates and a struggling health system will be limiting factors for WA to eventually transition to greater freedoms. “Fixing the slow uptake of the COVID-19 jab is simple and should be urgently prioritised.” A spokesperson for Mr Dawson said the WA rollout plan would include “a range of strategies” but no details were yet available. Last week, Premier Mark McGowan said 50 per cent of West Australians had received at least one dose. Mr McGowan described the 50 per cent jab-rate as “good news” — but acknowledged stark divides in inoculation rates across the State.