A mother has expressed her anger after a card from a Covid-skeptic and anti-Coronavirus vaccine group, was left on her doorstep while she was unwell with the virus.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, was one of many people in Brecon who received the card - pictured right - last Friday, December 3.
The furious mother-of-one, who was isolating with her family as they had tested positive, said: “At the time the card arrived I actually had a sign on the door ironically because me and my daughter were both isolating after testing positive. When I got that through the door, I was actually unwell with Covid.
“I had to tell the man delivering my parcels to “read the note on the door” which explained that we’re isolating so I couldn’t open the door to him. He put the parcels down outside and I saw it was stuck to the bottom of them when I went to get them in. It made me incredibly angry.”
The woman followed the link on the card to the group’s website called ‘Wake up Brecon’ which is filled with claims suggesting that people should avoid the vaccine and also alleges that the UK Government is “lying” to the public as a form of control.
The woman said: “I was so angry - I just can’t believe there are people who would do that. I went on the website and couldn’t believe it.
“I’m absolutely disgusted as both myself and my daughter are currently suffering from covid and I even had a sign on the door saying ‘do not come near, we’re isolating’.
“I didn’t want to say we had covid, but to see them putting that card next to the door while that sign was there disgusted me.
“I sent a photo of the card to my mum as well and she was also disgusted, in the sense that all the figures are so high at the moment - how you can even justify it - it is unbelievable.”
Other people from Brecon shared their outrage on social media as they had also received so-called anti-vaxx materials through their letterboxes or left on their car windscreens.
One person said they had lost a loved one only months ago and the discovery made them angry with others fearful for people who may have been impacted severely by the virus, while other labelled the group as “dangerous” and “misleading”.
The Brecon Chamber of Trade and Tourism took to Facebook to reassure residents that, despite the controversial group’s claims, it is not affiliated with them.
The Chamber of Trade said online: “It has come to our attention that the recent Anti Vaxer Leaflet campaign in Brecon is trying to align itself with both Brecon Chamber of Trade & Brecon Buzz.
“We must categorically say that neither body lends its support to this campaign. The members of BCOT & Buzz continue to work to push Brecon Forward whilst complying with the Government Guidelines to keep our customers & community safe in these uncertain times.”
Meanwhile Brecon Powys County Councillor Matthew Dorrance, the councillor for St John’s Ward, reminded residents of the important of going to reliable sources for information.
He said: “It’s really important that residents get information from reliable sources such as the Welsh Government, Public Health Wales and the local health board. The best way to defeat the virus is to get vaccinated and follow the Welsh Government’s advice.”
The Brecon & Radnor Express approached the group responsible for the Wake up Brecon website and printed materials.
A spokeswoman for the group said: “In a currently free society, people should always be offered the ability to view both sides of a discussion and our website message clearly shows that.
“We do not identify as the often misused terminology ‘anti-vaxers’. The writer of this statement has taken vaccines and all her children have received all their childhood vaccinations.
“As a caring parent and researcher she undertook investigation into these vaccines, and concluded that in view of the following, further research was demanded.
“This whole issue is multi-faceted and may be viewed from many perspectives depending on the level of one’s stress, experience and education. It is an issue that causes many knee jerk reactions and will be heatedly debated from now and into the foreseeable future.”
Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for Public Health Wales, who emphasised the importance of getting information from reputable sources like the NHS, said that while misinformation is being spread, the vast majority of people are supportive of the vaccination programme.
Dr Howe said: “We are aware that some households have received a leaflet that contains harmful misinformation about Covid vaccines.
“This misinformation could have real-world consequences for those who take these claims seriously, and risks undermining the hard work of NHS staff who are working tirelessly to ensure that the safe and effective Covid vaccine goes to everyone who needs it.
“Thankfully, the vast majority of people in Wales support the vaccination programme, and are eager to get their vaccine - 90 per cent of people either want a coronavirus vaccination or have already had one, according to a new Public Health Wales survey.
“Uptake in those age over 70 years has been over 90 per cent. More than 18 million people have received a Covid-19 vaccine in the UK. The weekly MHRA reports on vaccine safety show the vaccines to be very safe.
“Whilst misinformation is being spread, it is more important than ever that people use trusted sources of information to learn more about the vaccine.
“Only use information from recognised public bodies like Public Health Wales, your local authority, local health board and the Welsh Government.
“Myth busting information is also available on the Public Health Wales website, along with eligibility and patient information.
“This is available in multiple languages and accessible formats.”
The circulation of the controversial material came the same day that the first case of the new Omicron super variant of Covid-19 was found in Wales in Cardiff and the Vale - at the time of writing, a further three cases have also been found within the health board.
First identified in South Africa, the new variant’s presence in Wales is so far linked to people who have travelled internationally, however cases are increasing more rapidly in England - including from people socialising.
For reliable information about Covid-19 and the Coronavirus vaccines, visit https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/.