Melbourne vaccine nurses copping threats and abuse from ‘dangerous fanatics’

Police have been called in after anti-vaxxers targeted Victoria’s vaccine hubs, as Health Minister Martin Foley warned “dangerous fanatics” would be held to account.

Anti-vaxxers are targeting Victorian vaccine hubs, with police called in to protect nurses under siege.

Security has also been boosted at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition centre in an effort to protect staff.

Health minister Martin Foley said on Friday nurses had been spat on and abused by “tin pot” theorists opposed to the vaccination program.

Mr Foley said nurses had also been subject to racist remarks and other “disgusting” behaviour.

He said one anti-vaxxer barged into a Cranbourne vaccination centre on Friday morning and threatened staff.

An anti-vaxx protester outside Melbourne Exhibition Building vaccination hub in June. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“Violence, physical and verbal threats against our healthcare workers and call centre staff is not OK and will not be tolerated,” Mr Foley said.

“No matter what whacky theory you might think is real, you are not entitled to abuse our healthcare staff.

“You aren’t allowed to come in and abuse our nurses and health professionals,” he said.

Mr Foley said call centre staff had also been subject to abuse.

And he said further efforts would be made to ensure “anti-science, anti-evidence, dangerous fanatics are held to account.”

A crowd of anti-vaxxers protesting at Fawkner Park in Melbourne. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“If you want to have your tin pot theories, fine, keep them to yourself, keep them out of our health care centres.”

Liberal MP Tim Smith said he was bombarded by angry anti-vax abuse on Thursday after he revealed he had been vaccinated.

I spoke to my GP. She said it’s safe for me get the AstraZeneca jab, so I did today. We all should get vaccinated. How many Victorians need to get vaccinated before there are no more lock downs & borders aren’t closed on a whim? We can’t keep living like this, it’s ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/mU1B7g6taK

— Tim Smith MP (@TimSmithMP) July 1, 2021

Mr Smith, 37, said he received the AstraZeneca vaccine after a consultation with his GP.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the majority of Australians ignored the anti-vax movement.

There have been long lines of people waiting to get their shot at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre Vaccination Hub. Picture: David Caird

“The great majority of Australians still have an intention to be vaccinated,” he said.

“I would continue to urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as eligible.”

Prof Sutton also said he’d like to see the rollout of AstraZeneca to people under 40 in Victorian operated vaccine centres.

Currently under 40s can only received the vaccine through the Commonwealth program after National Cabinet announced no-fault indemnity scheme for GPs.

But Prof Sutton said if the indemnity was extended to state run hubs, people would still need to consult with a GP before being given the AstraZeneca vaccine.