“Don’t listen to anti-vaxxers” is the strong message from the Isle of Wight Council’s lead health and social care councillor.
It comes as COVID rates on the Island fluctuate slightly but still remain high, with the latest government data showing the 7-day rolling rate stands at 562 cases per 100,000 people.
Nearly 15,000 positive cases have now been found on the Island since the start of the pandemic with 2,578 new positive COVID cases in October alone – although cases don’t necessarily mean illness.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting on Monday, Councillor Karl Love, adult social care and public health cabinet member, said if people had concerns about the vaccine to ask their local health professionals and not listen to anti-vaxxers.
A number of the council’s cabinet executive have recently contracted the virus, with those members attending Monday’s meeting virtually.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon tested positive and said even though he was double jabbed, which he was sure made it a lot easier to get through, what he had been through was not nice.
Leader of the council, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, said the virus ‘really is vile’ and it was ‘absolutely everywhere’. She urged people to continue taking lateral flow tests regularly as they do not always pick up on the virus the first time around.
Cabinet member for children’s education and services, Councillor Debbie Andre, thanked secondary schools for their help and efforts in the 12 to 15-year-old rollout of the vaccine. She said letters would be sent to parents of pupils who have missed out so far explaining how to book one in as well as the families who home educate their children, and meet the current age criteria.
Most recent COVID vaccination figures from NHS England, up until 17th October, show more than 3,300 under 18-year-olds on the Island have had 1 jab.
Injection Paaarrday..yay! come on kids just say yes
Maybe Karl as not read about the poor persons who are suffering from vaccine side effects
3 of my relations are.
Agreeable looking chap,just exuding trustworthiness lol.
why is a councillor allowed to use a public platform to denigrate those that are against a vaccine, that does not prevent covid, does not prevent transmission and government stats show many have died and had complications.
councillors are supposed to be independent and impartial and respect the rights and views of all those they represent.
where is the balance and why do the media supress all comments relating to natural immunity and how those that are vulnerable have been jabbed, so why the concern over the rest.
covid -99.98% global survival rate -1 in 3 no symptoms at all, vast majority, nothing more than mild flu like symptoms.