1. Home
  2.  » 
  3. Health
  4.  » 
  5. Coronavirus
  6.  » Matt Hancock warns conspiracy theorists are putting lives at risk as he hails positive results in vaccine trial

Kate Devlin – The Independent July 21, 2020

Matt Hancock. Click to enlarge

Health secretary Matt Hancock has warned that conspiracy theorists are putting lives at risk as he hailed positive results in a trial of a new coronavirus vaccine.

A vaccine that protects against Covid-19 could be a crucial breakthrough in the fight against the global pandemic.

The government has already ordered millions of doses of different promising candidates.

But experts have warned anti-vaccination campaigners could frighten people so much they resist inoculation, even when it is perfectly safe.

A new poll, organised by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, found more than one in four Britons said they would not take a coronavirus vaccine or were still undecided.

Mr Hancock described the update on the vaccine, being developed at the University of Oxford, as “very encouraging news”.

But he hit out at so-called ‘anti-vaxxers” telling MPs: “Those who promulgate lies about vaccines that are safe and have been approved, they are threatening lives.”

He called on MPs from all parties to stand “shoulder to shoulder” against anti-vaxxers.

He was supported by shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth, who hit out at what he described as “poisonous anti-vax propaganda”.

Continues …

Comment – July 21, 2020

If anyone is putting lives at risk it is Matt Hancock, his fellow politicians and the lockdown policy. For the priority given to Covid-19 has resulted in delays in treating and screening for other life-threatening ailments.
Hospitals themselves have reported a steep drop in attendance for the treatment of conditions such as heart attacks and cancer.
And what happened to the 500,000 deaths Professor Neil Ferguson predicted could occur in the UK?
They didn’t happen because of the lockdown but because Prof Ferguson’s initial estimate was a wild over-estimate.
Job losses, bankruptcies, business closures and shutdowns will now inevitably follow in the months ahead. Affecting not just the economy but the health and well being of the country as a whole. Ed.