A respected Hitchin councillor has spoken to Nub News about his encounter with anti-vaxxers who have been actively targeting schoolchildren in our town.

In what appeared to be an orchestrated operation, a group of four people gathered to hand out literature spreading misinformation about the jab to teenagers in the town centre.

Hitchin councillor Sam Collins bravely confronted the group and calmly attempted to explain why the vaccination was important, not just for the protestors' safety, but for the safety of everyone in our community.

A number of parents in Hitchin had previously contacted councillor Collins about anti-vaccination leaflets given to pupils at local primary and secondary schools in our town.

However, on Monday, for the first time, councillor Collins encountered the people giving out this material in Hitchin town centre, after a group of anti-vaxxers had targeted pupils from Hitchin Boys School.

While the choice about vaccination remains a personal one for students and their families, with the NHS School Age Immunisation Service visiting Hitchin schools this month, those managing the consent and vaccination administration process have categorically confirmed once again that no student under 16 will be vaccinated without parental consent.

Public health bosses in Hertfordshire have had to draft in more staff to vaccinate school children against Covid in Hitchin, in order to meet demand.

Latest data shows that those aged between 12 and 15 are among the most likely to have the virus in the county.

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Yet, the four anti-vaxxers, including a middle-aged man, attempted to hand out leaflets, which included claims likening the jab to: [.I]"A trial app that could screw up your £800 iPhone."[.I]

Pupils throughout our town have been hailed for the way they have dealt with such groups since the new school term started last month, with Priory head teacher Geraint Edwards praising his pupils for their calm reactions.

While over at Grammar School Walk, HBS head Fergal Moane said he had received a 'deluge' of complaints from concerned parents.

The anti-vaxxers' actions were overwhelmingly met with opposition from the students, some of who tore up the pamphlets in disgust.

While, Herts public health bosses have had to draft in more staff to vaccinate school children against Covid in our town and elsewhere, in order to meet demand.

"I was thoroughly pleased to see many of the pupils actively challenging the content of the leaflets," Mr Collins told Hitchin Nub News.

"The way the boys challenged the anti-vaxxer group was a real credit to the school, they forcefully but politely challenged the deeply flawed arguments made by this group.

"It was very good to see such good engagement from young people with such an important issue."

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Councillor Collins challenged the group, as he believed the material they were putting out was irresponsible.

He added: "Targeting school children was deeply inappropriate. The anti-vaxxers argued the facts of the literature - which I deeply disagree with - but they finally decided to leave when I accused them of littering.

"I urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible. You are not only protecting yourself, you are protecting others."

Meanwhile, the police told Hitchin Nub News: "We have previously contacted [Hitchin] schools following the government's announcement about offering vaccines to children and have provided advice that could help manage or defuse potential situations.

"Headteachers are aware that should they be at all concerned they can contact us.

"Where a crime is committed, life is in danger, or where there is serious disorder or disruption to the public, police should be contacted immediately on 999."