“IT’S extremely dangerous to public health”, said the Royal Borough’s lead member for health who urged everyone to “play their part” to debunk anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.

The Pfzier/BioNtech vaccine – and just recently the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine – was judged safe for use by Britain’s medicine regulator, the MHRA, paving the way for mass vaccination.

So far, more than 600,000 people in the UK have been vaccinated with the Pfzier/BioNtech jab, with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine expected to be given on January 4 (Monday).

With the good news of protection from the dreaded coronavirus, anti-vaxxers have been circulating numerous false, and bizarre, claims on social media such as Covid vaccines are implanting microchips in people or they are altering people’s DNA.

Councillor Stuart Carroll (Conservative: Boyn Hill), lead member for adult social care, children’s services, health, and mental health, slammed these conspiracy theories as “downright scare stories” and “extremely dangerous to public health”.

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He called on everyone “to play their part” by getting their information on the vaccines from official and trusted sources, as well as dispelling any myths seen on social media.

He also urged people to get vaccinated and keep following the guidance.

Cllr Carroll, who is also an epidemiologist, said: “There’s nothing wrong with people asking questions or having concerns. That’s normal – but it’s vital that people get their information from the correct sources because this [Pfzier/BioNTech vaccine] is a very safe and effective vaccine.

“It’s been tested rigorously by the MHRA and they looked at it with huge amounts of scrutiny and detail.

“So, it’s vital that we kick back the anti-vaxxers because it’s extremely dangerous to public health as it could lead to someone getting the virus and all that it entails.”

Some fear among the public about the vaccine’s safety has also been circulating as it took 10 months for the vaccines to be developed, where some vaccine developments have a timeline of 10-15 years.

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However, Cllr Carroll said the vaccine developers were able to undertake phase 1, 2, and 3 trials in parallel under an emergency situation of a global pandemic where the whole world came together to put resources into the development process.

He said: “Quicker doesn’t mean less safe. It means it’s just as safe and there’s an argument that it’s even more safe because the MHRA have even been more risk-averse, stringent, and thorough because they’re acutely aware of how high the stakes are.

“The MHRA has a very rigorous surveillance and follow-up system. They are constantly following it up to ensure that there are no side effects or issues with the vaccines.”

Cllr Carroll said he would have his parents, family, and friends get the jab when it’s their turn as “it’s the best way to keep them safe and stopping them from being ill”.