Anti-vaccination letters left in SA letterboxes sparks community angst

Letters left in postboxes urging parents to consider the “adverse health effects” of children’s vaccination have sparked anger among South Australians.

Mysterious rumour-mongers have been dropping leaflets with false information on children’s vaccination in letterboxes across the state, sparking “angst in the community”.

Residents in Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Cummins and Linden Park have opened their mailboxes to the printed sheets in recent weeks, with one labelled “have you considered all the facts”.

Another letter has 10 reasons to “stop think and consider” vaccinating children.

Some of the reasons cited include that the vaccination was “experimental”, and could cause effects on reproduction.

Anti vax letters dropped in Port Lincoln and Whyalla letterboxes. Picture: supplied

“We know that the injection neither prevents transmission nor provides immunity and has been causing many deaths and adverse reactions in the world,” one letter wrote.

“You can’t undo having the injection, don’t rush this decision.”

QR codes for various disreputable health sites are listed for “research purposes” at the bottom of the letter.

Leanne Seaman saw the letter poking out of her Cummins letterbox this week.

“I started reading it and screwed it up and threw it straight in the bin,” Ms Seaman said.

“These people don’t have the facts and they are spreading all this crap and it’s dangerous.

“I think there’s people out there that are confused about this information... this isn’t helping anybody and it’s causing angst in the community. It makes me irate.”

Port Lincoln resident Shayne Elliot found a letter in his post office box on Tuesday.

“Everyone’s got their opinions, but my honest opinion is keep it to yourself,” Mr Elliot said.

He said the leaflet was rubbish.

“Thanks for the fire starter,” he said.

An SA Police spokeswoman said whoever was responsible for the letters did not appear to have broken any laws in distributing the false information.

A statement from SA Health said vaccination was the best way to reduce a child’s risk of becoming seriously unwell if diagnosed with Covid-19.

“Approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) was based on a careful evaluation of available data to support its safety and efficacy among this age group,” the statement said.

“Parents, carers and guardians can be reassured that by vaccinating their children against Covid-19 they have done everything possible to keep their child safe from Covid-19, particularly with emergence of the new Omicron variant.”

Premier Steven Marshall urged South Australians to listen to the experts.

“The experts are saying that vaccination is safe and effective, please don’t listen to the conspiracy theorists out there; it is dangerous,” Mr Marshall said.