GP director dispels 'bizarre' Covid vaccine myths
A health chief said the debunked rumour that vaccines contain microchips is “as bizarre as it sounds” ahead of upcoming events to answer communities’ questions.
Dr Manir Aslam, GP director at Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), has spoken out against vaccine myths.
Speaking at a meeting of the Local Covid Outbreak Engagement Board, he said: “There are three messages that are really odd.
“One was that there was some kind of cows’ product, cows’ blood product in the vaccine – that was targeted at the Hindu community.
“[Another was] there is gelatine in the vaccine, targeted at Muslim communities, and that there is chips in the vaccine which is as bizarre as it sounds.
“People are believing these messages. None of those things are true and the more bizarre is definitely not true – but there is no gelatine, no cows’ blood.
“The more we can give the correct information the better.”
He asked the Birmingham City Council representatives at the meeting whether more outreach could be carried out, including to engage with “people who are getting misinformation around the vaccinations”.
Council leader Councillor Ian Ward said: “The fact of the matter is that vaccination works and it is the way out of this pandemic, and anyone saying anything different to that is misleading the public.
“We should also thank the faith leaders across the city who have helped with debunking some of these myths and reassuring communities right across Birmingham that the vaccine is safe to take and does not breach protocols of any religion”
Councillor Paulette Hamilton, cabinet member for health and social care, said a series of “road shows” will be held where the public can put questions to councillors, NHS figures and MPs.
She said: “We will do an online meeting in the west, south, east and central part of the city.
“We will ask for a call for questions and the local professionals will answer questions being asked out there.
“We are going to have to keep answering the questions people ask and make sure people are wanting to get this vaccine.”
Councillor Hamilton said she would be delivering vaccines herself and added: “I just think it is so important and I have been speaking to anyone who will listen.
“It is the only way out of this. I’ve seen too much death in the last year and now I just want to see people leading somewhat of a normal type life.”
The meeting heard there had been just short of 98,000 vaccines carried out as of January 21 in the Birmingham and Solihull CCG area.
