Kill health workers, antivax campaigners demand in Telegram chats

Antivaxers are turning to extremist beliefs and advocating violence against healthcare workers, an investigation by The Times has found.

Analysis of the messaging app Telegram, popular with anti-vaccine and conspiracy theorists, found that the messages posted in group chats set up to oppose lockdown or vaccination have become more radical and violent.

The inquiry that reviewed almost a million messages in the past year found increasing antisemitic material, the presence of far-right group members and greater discussion of broader global conspiracy theories.

Popular theories include false beliefs about 5G — including that it will combine with the vaccine to harm humans — and allegations involving satanic rituals, the Illuminati and a plan to cull the population.

More messages are calling for violence or even the

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