Gold Coast GP Dr Sonu Haikerwal worried about increased COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy after Millions March anti-vax rally

A doctor says she’s “scared of the noise being created” after hundreds of Gold Coast residents marched against mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.

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HUNDREDS have hit a Gold Coast boardwalk to march against mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations, but a local doctor says the “cool” culture is dangerous for the community.

The self-titled Millions March Against Mandatory Vaccinations rallies were held across the country on Saturday, with attendees in many major cities.

Gold Coast GP Dr Sonu Haikerwal, who has been administering vaccinations in the city. Picture: Richard Gosling

The Gold Coast saw protesters descend on Kurrawa Park in Broadbeach.

Protester Jamie McIntyre said: “Only insane people could suggest we demand, force, coerce, bully and intimidate innocent people into participating in a dangerous global medical experiment for something that is a falsified pandemic.

“You have more chance of dying by a lightning strike than dying by Covid and unless you’re already sick, dying and elderly then Covid is not a major health threat.”

Three months since the Australian Federal Government officially launched the vaccine rollout on February 22, concerns from some members of the public have continued to grow.

Last week Prime Minister Scott Morrison proposed a vaccine passport to travel not only internationally but across state borders, which copped criticism from state premiers including Queensland leader Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Gold Coast GP Dr Sonu Haikerwal said greater campaigning and education would help put prevent misinformation about the vaccine.

“Mandatory is a very strong word. It puts people off-side from the start,” she said.

“It’s now become about opinion rather than science. When that happens with health related matters then it becomes dangerous for the community.

Doctors have urged Australians to vaccinate against COVID-19 and reiterated the low likelihood of serious side effects. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

“The vaccine has gone through the same process and approval of any other and Australia is one of the most stringent in the world.”

The Broadbeach doctor said COVID-19 had killed more people than any other disease this century and fast tracking the vaccine didn’t make it more dangerous.

“It was fast tracked because of the need,” she said.

“If you build a tower in six months or five years it doesn’t change the process and applications needed for it.

“I’m scared of the noise being created around the dangers of the vaccine. It’s become a culture and seen as cool to go against the norm.

Registered nurse Christina O'Donnell holds a vial of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Picture: Ian Hitchcock

“We need to back science and educate everyone on the processes so we can bring people together.”

In Byron Bay hundreds gathered at Railway Park and marched to the Peace Pole next to the surf club.

Further south in Melbourne – where the city is currently going through Victoria’s seven-day lockdown – police officers outnumbered the 150 protesters at Flagstaff Gardens.

A total of 14 protesters were arrested for offences including assaulting police, affray and breaching the chief health officer’s directions – and 55 were issued penalty notices.
A new study by Oxford University has found people infected by COVID-19 are between eight to 10 times more likely to develop blood clots than those vaccinated against the virus.

People are also much more likely to develop clotting while using the contraceptive pill than after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.

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