Mobile Vaccine Centers Shut Down After Harassment By Anti-Vaxxers

Top health official of Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) shut down three mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics over Labor Day weekend after medical staff members were harassed by anti-vaxxers.

JCPH Executive Director Dawn Comstock said that on Saturday, the medical staff administering jabs to public were threatened and yelled at by motorists, reported Denver Post. According to her, one driver ran over and ruined signs the mobile vaccine clinic in Gilpin County had placed around its tent. At another mobile clinic that was stationed in front of a restaurant in Jefferson County, someone threw liquid at a nurse.

Comstock said, “Additional cars drove by screaming obscenities at vaccine staff and throwing garbage at them." She refused to put the public health staff, whom she described as hard-working, in harm’s way.

She said that it's one thing to choose not to get vaccinated and another to try to prevent others from taking the jab. She finds the act, the "epitome of selfishness" that made her angry. Comstock feels that the virus has killed "our better angels," and people are accepting lies about these effective and safe vaccines.

As of end of August, Jefferson County’s three vaccine vans have administered more than 11,000 COVID-19 shots across Gilpin and Jefferson counties. Comstock said that these clinics have been effective at bringing the vaccine to people where they are located.

Comstock, who thinks it's not safe anymore, said that she will only let the mobile clinics set up in areas where security is assured, and is also inquiring about getting funding to hire security.

Amid rise of harassment of medical staff during the pandemic, Governor Jared Polis signed a law in May that doesn't allow posting public health officials’ personal information on digital platforms, according to Associated Press.

In the past also, some of the medical staff were attacked at a Southern California vaccine center. Even in France, two vaccination centers were targeted by what cops called protesters who were angry about rules related to vaccines. In Hawaii, some people protested outside the house of Lieutenant Governor Josh Green after it was announced that county and state workers would have to face regular tests or show proof of vaccination.