An Irish Senator has expressed his outrage at the HSE for asking Twitter to label his vaccine concerns “misinformation,” insisting that he “did not offer misinformation of any sort.”
The remarks were made yesterday by Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell during a Seanad debate on the Order of Business.
Sen. Gerard Craughwell brings up the issue of a video of him expressing his concerns about the AstraZeneca jab which I posted in April 2021. This video was suppressed by Twitter at the behest of the HSE on the false grounds that it was spreading misinformation. pic.twitter.com/iFAIOJR9vA
— JRD (@JRD0000) October 20, 2021
“We must have a national conversation about those who have decided, for whatever reason, that they do not wish to be vaccinated,” Craughwell said.
“Early in the summer, I stated I was due to have an AstraZeneca vaccination and that I was uncomfortable with it because I was being told it was a case of take it or leave it.
“Like everybody else, I want to be safe. I said I was not against vaccination in any way but I felt then I did not know enough about the AstraZeneca vaccine.”
Back in April of 2021, the senator said that he felt “petrified” at feeling forced to take the AstraZeneca vaccine, like he has a “gun to his head”, despite the known risk of rare blood clots and his history of heart problems. The remarks in question were covered at the time by Gript and can be found below.
Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell has said that he feels “petrified” at feeling forced to take the AstraZeneca vaccine, like he has a “gun to his head”, despite the known risk of rare blood clots and his history of heart problems.#gripthttps://t.co/zoAoWLSIVu
— gript (@griptmedia) April 26, 2021
The senator went on to explain that the HSE branded a video of the senator expressing his concerns “misinformation” on Twitter.
“The HSE contacted Twitter to advise the company that I was spreading misinformation,” he said.
“Under the video of me speaking here, there is a statement warning it is misinformation. I expressed a concern and at no stage did I offer misinformation of any sort.”
The senator went on to state that greater education is required on these issues, and that people should understand the potential risk of both Covid and vaccinations.
“This issue must be discussed openly,” he said.
“Some 300,000 people in the country are saying they do not want to be vaccinated. I fully respect their view and their right not to be vaccinated. I also respect the right of all those workers who must go into an office or workplace to be aware they may be sitting beside colleagues who may not be vaccinated.
“I also want those not vaccinated to know that I, as a vaccinated person, may be carrying the virus and that people working alongside me may be subjected to transmission and may not have the requisite protections.”
He added: “There is no incitement to hatred, which is what the accusation is. There is no need for any organisation concerned with equality or anybody else to be involved.
“Education is required and people must understand the risk involved in both directions.”