A Shenzhen Father Would Rather Go to Jail Than Have His Child Vaccinated

A Shenzhen Father Would Rather Go to Jail Than Have His Child Vaccinated
A child receives a COVID-19 vaccine in Xiamen, Fujian Province, on Nov.15, 2021. STR/AFP via Getty Images
Mary Hong
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A father in Shenzhen was summoned by police for his online post stating he would not allow his child to be vaccinated. He said, “I would rather go to jail than have my child get the vaccine that has the purpose of a political mission.”

Wang Yong, a resident in Pingshan District, Shenzhen, has a son who is in the first grade of Jintian Primary School. The school enforces the rule that students must receive the Covid vaccine.

Wang does not believe his child should accept a vaccine that is in the clinical experiment and double-blind study stage.

In view of this, he has repeatedly expressed his concern over the vaccination issue to the Education Bureau, the National Health Commission, and the Chinese CDC, but has not received a substantive answer.

Refusing A Vaccination with Political Agenda

Wang provided screenshots of the chat content of the parent group to the Chinese Epoch Times on April 28.

In his posts, he said his remarks were based on Chinese laws and official data, and he welcomed parents to consult the relevant departments for an explanation on why there are outbreaks despite nationwide vaccination.

Wang Yong, a father of a first grader in Shenzhen, communicates with a parent group on WeChat about his views on child vaccination. He would rather go to jail than have his child take the experimental vaccine. (Wang Yong/The Epoch Times)
Wang Yong, a father of a first grader in Shenzhen, communicates with a parent group on WeChat about his views on child vaccination. He would rather go to jail than have his child take the experimental vaccine. Wang Yong/The Epoch Times

Wang provided data about vaccination coverage in China. Vaccination of residents is 95 percent in Ruili, 99.38 percent in Xi'an, and 86 percent in Shanghai. Yet, after the nationwide vaccination, more than 92 cities across the country suffered strict lockdown measures to control the epidemic.

He stated, “Without a reasonable answer and truthful information about vaccines based on science, infectious disease prevention and control, and medicine, I reject the idea of vaccination, even at the cost of my child’s education. I’d rather be imprisoned than have my child vaccinated when vaccination is enforced with a political agenda.”

The head teacher asked him to stop the post because it could affect other parents and bring trouble for the teacher; otherwise, Wang should leave the chat room voluntarily.

A parent responded to Wang that in his company the employees who refuse the vaccine are laid off, with a severance package, according to the Labor Law. Wang responded, “I won’t die without making a noise. School is for education, not for slaves. I’ll fight to the end.”

Wang’s online comments got him reported to the police by other parents. He was summoned by police twice.

On April 25, the school director of the political office called Wang and told him, “If I were [one of the] the parents, I would have informed the police too. You can’t spread your views in the parents’ chat room.”

Wang said to the director, “It’s my basic right of expression. I wasn’t targeting anyone, it’s only my own viewpoint. All of my conversations with the relevant departments were recorded.”

The director reiterated that the school won’t treat the child differently from others if he doesn’t receive the vaccine, “It’s not mandatory. So, you can just tell the school instead of posting in the chat room. We are only following governmental policy,” said the director.

Wang explained to The Chinese edition of The Epoch Times, “On April 10, the police came to me at 9:30 pm. They wanted me to explain why I rejected the vaccination and had different views on the PCR tests,” he said.

He was kept at the police station for four hours. The police questioned him, took mugshots, and took blood samples from him. He said, “My questioning of vaccines and PCR tests is not a criminal act.”

According to Wang, the police in his hometown in Shaanxi Province also visited his 73-year old mother at noon on April 27 to question her about Wang’s activities.

In February this year, when the world was shocked by the story of the Xuzhou chained mother of eight, Wang also voiced his concern about the case online multiple times. He believes the police are trying to settle the score with him for doing that.

He said, “I have a wife and child. I must speak out for the victimized chained woman.”

Wang’s friend’s circle on WeChat has been suspended.

The Chinese edition of The Epoch Times tried to call the local police station in Shenzhen, but the call could not go through.

After Wang’s story was reported, many viewers posted their comments in support of his courageous acts.

One netizen wrote, “The director of the political office is lying. If Wang Yong hadn’t done this, it would have been impossible for his child to not be vaccinated.”

Another netizen said, “The true intention of the director’s talk was his fear that the sentiment of refusing vaccination would spread. The official’s claim about people’s willingness to be vaccinated is pure deceit. It’s a political task.”

Li Xi contributed to this report.
Mary Hong
Mary Hong
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Mary Hong is a NTD reporter based in Taiwan. She covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Mary primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."
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