Nottingham anti-vax protests criticised by leading GP during government Covid briefing

A GP has criticised anti-vax protesters who held a demonstration outside a Covid vaccine bus in Nottingham.

Around 15 people were shouting “we want our freedom back” at Bulwell market on Tuesday morning (April 20) and also made unfounded claims about the vaccine and authorities.

The protest was referenced during the Government’s coronavirus press conference, led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on Tuesday, February 20.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS England and NHS Improvement, criticised the group, saying they “will not stand for it”.

She told the conference: “We’re making great strides, but this hasn’t happened by accident.

“The success is down to the hard work of our staff, incredible planning and delivery. I want you also to make sure you look after our staff at this really challenging time.

“I heard today that a group of people were protesting outside a mobile vaccination bus in Nottingham. I want to say now that we will not stand for it.

“It is of vital importance that you allow our colleagues to do the job that they need to do.

“That you allow them to save lives by vaccinating people, and as the Prime Minister says, you allow our teams to get us back to the lives that we love and that we miss so much.”

She added that yesterday the UK celebrated the milestone of 10m people being fully vaccinated.

The protest was livestreamed by participants, who asked to remain anonymous when approached by Nottinghamshire Live.

One woman claimed ‘false information’ had been given over the jab and that “it is sad to see these frightened people getting their jab today”.

A protester who recorded the event added: “One of our friends who is present here today has cancer in stage 4 – he is not frightened.”

*** This article has been archived for your research. The original version from Nottinghamshire Live can be found here ***