A CROWD of people marched through the streets of Carlisle today to show their opposition to the Covid-19 vaccine.

Around 150 protesters marched from the vaccine centre at the Elim Community Church on Lonsdale Street in Carlisle at approximately 13.50.

With placards in hand, protesters marched around to the Crescent and then on towards the Market Cross Monument to the sound of whistles and anti-vaccination messages voiced over megaphones.

People had travelled from across the county to voice their concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine, in particular the proposed roll out of vaccinations for people aged under 18 in the UK.

Denene Kerr, 47, from Brampton was one of the anti-vaccine protesters at the march.

She said: “I am here because I feel extremely strongly that parents should research what is going on, especially why vaccines are being rolled out to ever decreasing age groups.”

Another protestor said he was “against vaccinating young people” because he didn’t believe that they were as much at risk from the virus as older age groups.

“I’m not someone who would normally go on a march, but I believe that this is crossing a line.”

The Government announced last weekend that all young people aged 16 to 17 in England are to be offered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday 23 August.

Police officers lined the streets and blocked off certain shops, including Boots.

Laura McGlasson and Lindsay Johnston were both on shift at Boots when the protesters passed through English Street.

Lindsay, 32, said: “The Police have been fab today. We locked the doors [of the shop], but the protesters just walked through the street.

“The Police had it all under control.”

Laura, 42, said having to lock the doors of the pharmacy was “a little bit concerning” but added that there was no trouble from the protestors.

She said: “The Police gave us some warning and we knew what we had to do. They [the protestors] didn’t cause any trouble.”

Russell, 60, who had come to Carlisle from Whitehaven to do some shopping when he saw the crowd of protestors go past the Market Cross Monument.

He said: I know it’s something we have never had to do before, but [the Government] aren’t going to jab us up if it isn’t safe.

“It’s the only way we are going to get back to some normality.”

NHS England has launched a new online walk-in site finder to help 16 and 17-year-olds locate the nearest available centre.

The vaccination roll-out for under 18s has been made in a bid to get as many 16 – 17-year-olds vaccinated before schools go back in September.