Henry Slade criticised for rejecting Covid vaccine

Colin Newboult

England and Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade has been criticised after revealing that he will not take the Covid-19 vaccine.

Slade is diabetic and was offered the jab as he is considered clinically vulnerable, but the 28-year-old has stated that he doesn’t “trust” the vaccine.

Diabetes UK have said they “strongly encourage” people with the condition to get vaccinated.

Vulnerable to developing severe illness

“People with diabetes are vulnerable to developing a severe illness if they do get coronavirus, and vaccines are the most effective way to prevent that from happening,” Its website states.

However, Slade has decided against getting protection from the virus.

“I am not going to have a vaccine. I don’t agree with it at all. I don’t think you can trust it, can you?,” he told the Telegraph.

“I don’t think it [vaccination against Covid] has been going long. There is no way of knowing what could happen with it in the future. I am perfectly fit and healthy. I don’t fancy it at all.”

Slade added: “There is no way of knowing what it could do.

“I have had vaccines in the past and have fallen pretty unwell with them afterwards. I don’t know if that has anything to do with the diabetes or not. I am going to stay away from this one.”

The England centre is the first high profile British sportsperson to come out against the vaccine but people on social media have moved quickly to condemn his comments.

One person wrote: “Dangerous stuff this from Henry Slade who himself is a diabetic and is putting his own health at risk. Not good.”

Another added: “Henry Slade, a prominent rugby player says the vaccine isn’t safe as he has type 1 diabetes. A few things strike me here. 1) I have numerous friends who have diabetes who’ve had the jab and they’re fine 2) I never knew egg chasers were expert epidemiologists 3) he’s wrong.”

The National Health Service in the UK has stressed that the vaccines are safe, saying: “The vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.”

Fresh statement

Slade has subsequently issued a statement which appeared on Exeter Chiefs’ website in which he tried to explain his initial comments.

“Following an article in today’s Telegraph newspaper, I would like to make the following statement,” he said.

“The comments attributed to me in regards to the Covid-19 vaccination form a very small part of an exclusive interview I had with the newspaper, which was set up to talk about living with Type-1 diabetes.

“Not only as a professional sportsman, but also a person who has to closely monitor my health levels every day, I am acutely aware of the importance of vaccines and the role it plays in helping save lives.

“From my own personal experience, I have encountered issues in the past with the use of vaccines and I am continually wary around this area. That said, I have no hidden agenda against the current, nationwide roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

“When the time comes for me to make an informed decision on whether or not I take up the option of having the vaccination, I will of course consider the thoughts of my family and friends, the latest Government advice, as well as all others around me.

“In no way whatsoever am I offering advice to the general public as to the pros and cons of the vaccination programme, everyone has a right to their own opinion on this matter, but given my past experiences, I wish to make the correct decision for myself.”