{"id":19374,"date":"2022-11-09T12:26:11","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T12:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings-new\/?post_type=dcc_docs_document&#038;p=19374"},"modified":"2025-02-28T15:54:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T15:54:36","slug":"anti-vaccination-guidance","status":"publish","type":"dcc_docs_document","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/document\/anti-vaccination-guidance\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-vaccination guidance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#introduction\">Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#themes-from-recent-anti-vax-activities\">Themes from recent anti-vax activities<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#actions-to-be-taken-by-local-sites\">Actions to be taken by local sites<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#be-s-a-f-e-r\">Be S.A.F.E.R<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:41.333%\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-67c1dc3ace374\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2022-11-09T12:26:11+00:00\">09\/11\/2022 12:26pm<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2025-02-28T15:54:36+00:00\">28\/02\/2025 3:54pm<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:58.666%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"introduction\">Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"144\" id=\"longdesc-return-19376\" longdesc=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings?longdesc=19376&#038;referrer=19374\" tabindex=\"-1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Untitled-design-25-e1667996752100-300x144.png\" alt=\"Together for Devon logo\" class=\"wp-image-19376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Untitled-design-25-e1667996752100-300x144.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Untitled-design-25-e1667996752100-640x307.png 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Untitled-design-25-e1667996752100-768x369.png 768w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Untitled-design-25-e1667996752100-800x384.png 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/Untitled-design-25-e1667996752100.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"113\" id=\"longdesc-return-19377\" longdesc=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings?longdesc=19377&#038;referrer=19374\" tabindex=\"-1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/NHS-logo-300x113.png\" alt=\"NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group logo\" class=\"wp-image-19377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/NHS-logo-300x113.png 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/NHS-logo-640x240.png 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/NHS-logo-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/NHS-logo-800x300.png 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/166\/2022\/11\/NHS-logo.png 826w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Within the wider Devon system, cases of anti-vax disruption have been steadily on the increase. As a system, our vaccination centres, local vaccination offers through our Primary Care, Community Pharmacies and Outreach service also seen a rise in activity at a local level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have seen persistent anti-vax activity, increasing in aggression and intimidation and impacting on vaccine take-up and the safety of patients and staff. Schools have already been targeted by individuals wishing to disrupt the vaccination\/immunisation process as the programme moved into an education and learning setting and we are also aware of increasing anti-vax activity towards our care home partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We again would like to ask any anti-vax disruptions that you experience (email, telephone, physical demonstration, face to face challenge) in your care setting outside are reported through a <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Vx4YeeBlO0ye_XOpZ_zYAhz_Y-rwWIpMjr1aGFS5FPRUNkJEQ0VJSTQ5UzhTMTVEUlc2WlFWR0kwWCQlQCN0PWcu\" rel=\"noopener\">simple form, known as an \u2018SBAR<\/a>\u2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is not a mandatory requirement, but completion of the <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Vx4YeeBlO0ye_XOpZ_zYAhz_Y-rwWIpMjr1aGFS5FPRUNkJEQ0VJSTQ5UzhTMTVEUlc2WlFWR0kwWCQlQCN0PWcu\" rel=\"noopener\">SABR form<\/a> will ensure that the issues that you have seen can be reported both nationally and locally and will supports our Devon-wide intelligence gathering and also ensures that we can work with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to provide local support where needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are also aware of the personal impact that these instances have on staff and offer a range of wellbeing services for those affected. We would expect a similar opportunity to be made available for staff in your employment setting. The expectation sadly, is that anti-vax disruption will continue and increase for the foreseeable future and for the duration of the vaccination delivery programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your support in this process is very much appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mark Elster<br>Programme Assurance Lead Devon Mass Vaccination Programme<br>NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"themes-from-recent-anti-vax-activities\">Themes from recent anti-vax activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased public demonstrations in the last week, attempts have been made to \u2018close vaccination centres down by the issuing of \u2018legal papers\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased Anti-vax propaganda, posters and \u2018stickering\u2019.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mis-information in local media\/social media.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email based \u2018cease and desist\u2019 correspondence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public Demonstrations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verbal Aggression.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"actions-to-be-taken-by-local-sites\">Actions to be taken by local sites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\"><strong>Anti-vax activity<\/strong><\/th><th scope=\"col\"><strong>Actions<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Peaceful anti-vax demo taking place outside a clinic. Protesters are not interacting with staff or public attending the clinic in any way.<\/strong><\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Follow SAFER guidance, ensure that stall, volunteers and patients attending the clinic are safe.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure that onsite security are made aware.<\/li>\n<li>Call 101 to inform the local police.<\/li>\n<li>After the incident, complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Vx4YeeBlO0ye_XOpZ_zYAhz_Y-rwWIpMjr1aGFS5FPRUNkJEQ0VJSTQ5UzhTMTVEUlc2WlFWR0kwWCQlQCN0PWcu\" rel=\"noopener\">SBAR form<\/a> and submit to the Systemvoc inbox <a href=\"mailto:Systemvocinboxd-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net\">d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net<\/a> so that the incident can be reported.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Anti-vax demo taking place outside a clinic. Protesters are interacting with staff or public attending the clinic including distribution of materials, preventing accessor throwing items.<\/strong><\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Assess whether the clinic can continue or whether the safety of staff\/ public is at risk.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure that onsite security are made aware.<\/li>\n<li>Follow SAFER guidance.<\/li>\n<li>Implement any local mitigating actions including ensuring safe exit routes.<\/li>\n<li>If protestors are filming children or handing out materials which could be distressing, this is a safeguarding issue and you should follow your local safeguarding procedures.<\/li>\n<li>Where protestors are filming and there is a risk that adult patients are being filmed, this may also be a safeguarding issue and local procedures should be followed.<\/li>\n<li>If appropriate, state that you are calling the police as the individual is affecting patient care and\/or are breaching their privacy. Walk Away. Do not engage in a conversation of any type.<\/li>\n<li>Call 999.<\/li>\n<li>If media are present, explain you are focused on the safety of staff and the public. Ask them to contact CCG Communications Team.<\/li>\n<li>After the incident, complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Vx4YeeBlO0ye_XOpZ_zYAhz_Y-rwWIpMjr1aGFS5FPRUNkJEQ0VJSTQ5UzhTMTVEUlc2WlFWR0kwWCQlQCN0PWcu\" rel=\"noopener\">SBAR form<\/a> so that the incident can be reported.<\/li>\n<li>Contact systemvoc inbox <a href=\"mailto:d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net\">d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net<\/a> with any queries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Protestors are trying to \u2018serve\u2019 legal notices to staff.<\/strong><\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Remain polite, neutral and do not engage.<\/li>\n<li>Follow SAFER guidance, ensure that stall, volunteers and patients attending the clinic are safe.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure that onsite security are made aware.<\/li>\n<li>The documents have no legal standing and staff are at NO risk of any legal action-the vaccination programme is completely lawful and has the full backing of the British Government and the British Legal system.<\/li>\n<li>Do not engage in any discussion or confrontation with the protestors.<\/li>\n<li>Take the documents, take digital photographs and attach to the completed <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Vx4YeeBlO0ye_XOpZ_zYAhz_Y-rwWIpMjr1aGFS5FPRUNkJEQ0VJSTQ5UzhTMTVEUlc2WlFWR0kwWCQlQCN0PWcu\" rel=\"noopener\">SBAR form<\/a> so that the incident can be reported.<\/li>\n<li>Contact systemvoc inbox <a href=\"mailto:d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net\">d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net<\/a> with any queries.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure you are not followed into buildings make sure security doors are closed behind you.<\/li>\n<li>If you feel in anyway at risk, call 999.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Emails or written materials are received by the site.<\/strong><\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Vx4YeeBlO0ye_XOpZ_zYAhz_Y-rwWIpMjr1aGFS5FPRUNkJEQ0VJSTQ5UzhTMTVEUlc2WlFWR0kwWCQlQCN0PWcu\" rel=\"noopener\">SBAR form<\/a>&nbsp;so that the incident can be reported.<\/li>\n<li>Contact systemvoc inbox <a href=\"mailto:d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net\">d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net<\/a> forwarding any emails or documents.<\/li>\n<li>Inform the site lead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Telephone calls received.<\/strong><\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Remain polite, neutral and do not engage.<\/li>\n<li>Record caller details if given, (ask for the person\u2019s name in order to support them in their enquiry).<\/li>\n<li>If the caller is abusive, please ask them to reframe from using abusive language and confirm that you are trying to support them. If this continues you are within your rights to say to the caller that you are unable to continue the call at this time and terminate the call.<\/li>\n<li>After the call, complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Vx4YeeBlO0ye_XOpZ_zYAhz_Y-rwWIpMjr1aGFS5FPRUNkJEQ0VJSTQ5UzhTMTVEUlc2WlFWR0kwWCQlQCN0PWcu\" rel=\"noopener\">SBAR form<\/a> so that the incident can be reported.<\/li>\n<li>Contact systemvoc inbox <a href=\"mailto:d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net\">d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net<\/a> with any queries.<\/li>\n<li>Please email the patient experience Team CCG, as this will support them if further contact is made by the caller in respect to any complaint the Patient Experience mailbox is <a href=\"mailto:d-ccg.patientexperence@nhs.net\">d-ccg.patientexperence@nhs.net<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>LVS\u2019s\/Vaccination centres: Please also ensure that your own Complaints\/Patient Experience Teams are also informed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Anti-vaccination posters\/stickers<\/strong><\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Take digital photographs, complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Vx4YeeBlO0ye_XOpZ_zYAhz_Y-rwWIpMjr1aGFS5FPRUNkJEQ0VJSTQ5UzhTMTVEUlc2WlFWR0kwWCQlQCN0PWcu\" rel=\"noopener\">SBAR form<\/a> so that the incident can be reported.<\/li>\n<li>Contact systemvoc inbox <a href=\"mailto:d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net\">d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net<\/a> with any queries forward any digital photographs taken.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Remove with extreme caution \u2013 there have been cases of razor blades being hidden beneath the edges of anti-vax posters. If razor blades are found, call 999.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Comments on social media posts<\/strong><\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Harmful, targeted abuse at a person or group of people:<\/strong> Take a screenshot of comments, delete and report message to the platform.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mis- or disinformation:<\/strong> Hide these comments (this means you are able to see the message, but the person who wrote it doesn\u2019t know their comment has been hidden).<\/li>\n<li>If other people have challenged the mis\/dis-information, leave in place and comment using the text in the resources section, below.<\/li>\n<li>\u201cIf you are undecided about vaccinations, we strongly recommend doing your own research using trusted sources of information, such as the NHS.<\/li>\n<li>On Instagram, delete the post.<\/li>\n<li>Comments critical of the NHS and vaccination programme: Leave these comments as people are entitled to their opinion. If you see themes emerging, report to CCG Communications <a href=\"mailto:CCG.Communications@nhs.net\">CCG.Communications@nhs.net<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Emails with long list of challenges to giving children the COVID-19 vaccine. Please note that these emails often come from someone claiming not to be \u2018anti-vax\u2019 or a \u2018concerned parent\u2019.<\/strong><\/td><td>\n<ul>\n<li>Do not respond, directly.<\/li>\n<li>After the incident, complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Vx4YeeBlO0ye_XOpZ_zYAhz_Y-rwWIpMjr1aGFS5FPRUNkJEQ0VJSTQ5UzhTMTVEUlc2WlFWR0kwWCQlQCN0PWcu\" rel=\"noopener\">SBAR form<\/a> so that the incident can be reported.<\/li>\n<li>Contact systemvoc inbox <a href=\"mailto:d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net\">d-ccg.systemvoc@nhs.net<\/a> with any queries forward any emails.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"be-s-a-f-e-r\">Be S.A.F.E.R<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>How NHS staff can self-assess conflict situations at vaccination sites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>S<\/strong>tep back to protect yourself. By stepping back you will be able to assess what is going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A<\/strong>ssess the situation. Consider any potential dangers by assessing the Person (P), any dangerous Objects (O) and the Place (P) where the conflict is arising (POP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>F<\/strong>ind help. The scale of help needed can depend on the situation. Tell your site manager or if required call emergency services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>E<\/strong>valuate the options. You may need to completely move away from the situation and let someone with experience manage the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>R<\/strong>espond appropriately. Continue assessing the threat being posed and always ask yourself \u2018do I feel safe?\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction Within the wider Devon system, cases of anti-vax disruption have been steadily on the increase. As a system, our vaccination centres, local vaccination offers [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2471,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"documents_category":[253],"class_list":["post-19374","dcc_docs_document","type-dcc_docs_document","status-publish","hentry","dcc_docs_category-healthy-schools"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":null,"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents\/19374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/dcc_docs_document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2471"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents\/19374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31230,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents\/19374\/revisions\/31230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"dcc_docs_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents_category?post=19374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}