Parents are being warned against hoax Covid-19 vaccine consent letters sent to schools in England that aim to spread anti-vaccine misinformation.
Some headteachers have reportedly been targeted by letters under a fake NHS logo, which they are asked to share with parents and students.
The letters are presented as being a consent form and include a "consent checklist” alongside information to be sent to parents ahead of pupils receiving a vaccine.
But the checklist includes a series of negative claims about the risks of vaccinations to young people.
Below an "NHS Vaccines" logo, the letter lists claims such as the vaccine being a risk for "strokes, blindness, deafness, clotting, miscarriages, anaphylaxis and cardiovascular disorders".
These hoax letters are not being sent out by the NHS, said NHS England medical director for Covid immunisation, Dr Jonathan Leach, after one parent shared a "checklist" on Twitter.
The parent tweeted: ”Today we have a 'consent checklist' which seems almost kinda like it's designed to put kids off?”
Three million UK children aged 12-15 are now eligible to receive a first jab as part of a programme, which began on September 20 and will be delivered primarily within schools.
The headteachers’ union, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), described the letters as "massively unhelpful”.
"We would appeal for those behind these fake consent forms to stop circulating them," said Julie McCulloch, policy director of the ASCL.
Earlier in September, the UK Health Security Agency said it was aware that some schools had received campaign letters and emails with "misinformation" about the vaccine programme, after ministers agreed to allow the age group a first jab.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi on Monday noted vaccination was not mandatory and remained a personal choice, but was critical of those who have abused and threatened school staff.”
As Education Secretary, I want teachers and students to know that I will always stand up for them and tackle harassment head on, so teachers can do their vital jobs safely and children can get the education they deserve – regardless of choices made over vaccination," Mr Zahawi wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
The DHSC said any unauthorised use of the NHS logo was taken very seriously, according to the BBC.
A DHSC spokesperson said: ”Misinformation about the vaccine is dangerous and costs lives. We are continuing to do everything we can, working with local authorities and our NHS, to counter the spread of untruths with public information that is grounded in science and facts.”
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