CAMPAIGNERS who consider vaccinating young people against the dangers of coronavirus to be “child abuse” staged a demonstration on a roundabout.

Sign-wielding protestors were caught on camera trying to get their anti-vaccine message across to seemingly disinterested drivers in Stanway yesterday.

They held the protest shortly before midday after infiltrating a roundabout in London Road, located between the Tollgate Centre Shopping Park and Stane Retail Park.

During the stunt the activists held aloft placards stating “vaccinating children is child abuse” and “heart attacks now normal for young children,” as a result of the jab.

They also claimed that “99.8 percent survive Covid” while urging the public to “question it all”, ultimately casting doubt over the validity of the pandemic.

According to official Government figures, however, 176,424 people have died within 28 days of contracting Covid-19, of which 485 were from Colchester.

Gazette:

More than 142 million vaccinations have also been administered within the UK since the rollout started, with arms in Colchester being jabbed 411,325 times.

Despite what the protestors may believe, the demonstration has not gone down well with many residents, and some have even suggested it endangered drivers.

Scott Everest said: “I was concerned as some cars were sounding their horns, however, due to slowing down on the roundabout there were some near misses.

“We must always be safe at all times, regardless of the cause.

"I trust doctors and medical professionals to make the best decisions for the health of our children and the vulnerable rather than someone from YouTube."

Gazette reader Helen Lilley also slammed the anti-vaxxers for pushing their opinions on other people with children.

She added: “It’s a personal choice [and we] don’t need to be told by some idiot with a placard what parents should do.”

Dennis Davis was also left disgusted by the stunt, particularly due to one campaign using the platform to claim vaccinating a child would be abuse.

He said: “Who does he think he is? Will he personally accept responsibility for anyone’s child that gets ill because of his advice?

“He needs to go back in his garden and play with his plants. We choose what we give or don’t give our kids, not this bored pensioner.”

According to Essex Police officers were called to reports of a group of people at a shop in Western Approach at 1pm.

A spokesman said: "Officers attended, liaised with security and spoke to some people leaving the location. No offences were identified and no arrests were made."