A group which distributes allegedly misleading information about Covid-19 vaccination is targeting Central Otago.
Some in the region have been convinced, prompting Central Otago Health Health Services Limited (COHSL), which runs Dunstan Hospital, to remind people to check reliable information sources before making a decision on the issue.
Brochures from the group Voices for Freedom, which opposes Covid-19 prevention and protection measures, have been delivered to homes from Cromwell to Roxburgh.
The Covid-19 denial group has been vocal on social media about the Pfizer vaccine rollout, partial and full lockdowns, and the New Zealand Government’s general approach to Covid-19.
Launched in December, the group has questioned the Government’s approach while marketing T-shirts, enamel pins, tote bags and other merchandise.
Residents across Central Otago had mixed views on the material the group was distributing but were reluctant to be named.
A Roxburgh woman described the information as "dangerous" and said the group was using "freedom" as a trigger word when no freedom had been lost.
"I don’t try to convert anti-vaxxers to my position but they are always so loud.
"They can’t really call themselves Voices for Freedom when, if I expressed my freedom of choice to be vaccinated, I would end up bombarded with reasons why I shouldn’t."
She said the campaign appeared to be "well-funded".
The group’s website states: "We are a non-political organisation focused on protecting New Zealanders’ fundamental human rights with a particular focus on freedom of speech, health/medical freedom and all freedoms under attack from an overzealous and oppressive Covid-19 response."
It has been linked to the Advance New Zealand Party.
The group’s views were shared by some in Central Otago.
In Cromwell, a woman said she had received two leaflets in her letterbox but the information was nothing she "didn’t already know", while a man said it was good to see an "alternative view to the [government] narrative".
An Omakau woman said the group’s approach was "nowhere near as aggressive as the Government’s" and accused the Otago Daily Times of being "brainwashed".
COHSL clinical director Mark Smith said it and Dunstan Hospital were committed to supporting the Covid-19 vaccination process led by the Ministry of Health.
"We recognise people may have questions related to the Covid-19 vaccine rollout in New Zealand and I encourage people to refer to the Ministry of Health website for safe, accurate and trustworthy information and answers to their questions," Dr Smith said.
A ministry spokeswoman said it was aware flyers about the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines had been distributed across the country in recent weeks, but the best sources of accurate and reliable information remained the ministry, Unite Against Covid-19 and trusted sources such as district health boards.
"We are very confident in the Pfizer vaccine, which has been through all the relevant clinical trials and found to be safe and effective."
Regulators said side-effects included mild soreness in the arm, headaches and lethargy, which usually disappeared after a couple of days, she said.
"Some people even feel a little bit unwell but that’s the body mounting a sort of immune response to the vaccine."
