Panel of experts at Bolton University to reveal truth behind Covid-19 vaccine conspiracy theories

A panel of experts at the University of Bolton are busting myths around the coronavirus vaccine that have been circulating online.

The university is working with a number of specialists to encourage people to get their jabs by finding the truth behind some of the claims about the vaccine.

The panel includes Dr Abhishek Kumar, a consultant interventional cardiologist who will chair the online seminar ‘Know the truth! Understand the advice, have the vaccine, protect yourself and your loved ones’, alongside other experts and community leaders.

Dr Kumar has explained that some on the Muslim community are concerned animal produce is found in the vaccine meaning it is not halal.

But the doctor encourages everyone to get the vaccine, explaining that this is simply not true.

He said: “There are these online conspiracy theories and people ask how do you know the vaccine is safe. People say it has microchips in it, that it contains animal products or that it can turn you sterile.

“Overall I think in the UK population about 15 million people have been vaccinated but there are concerning reports from different parts of the country that particularly in the BAME community there’s been a reluctance in vaccine uptake.

“In Bradford they’ve had similar issues. There have been reports from different parts of the country and the government did come out advice and various communications to try and dispel the myths and reassure people.”

He added: “I and my colleagues with whom I work see the vaccination as a way out to the future.

“Everybody’s been suffering, people on the frontline, behind the scenes, people cooped up inside their house and children in particular. They can’t go to school, play or mix with their friends.

“This has had significant affects on the mental and physical wellbeing in general of most people. So we ought to move together in a direction where we try and help each other as a society so that we can come out of this series of lockdowns and that vaccine is the only way we have at the moment.

“There are no animal products in this vaccine, it’s safe to use, it’s efficient and it’s effective.”

The panel includes Prof Sanjay Arya, medical director at Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospital; Dr Wirin Bhatiani, chairman of Bolton’s Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Helen Lowey, Bolton’s director of public health, and Prof John Lumley, founding dean for the School of Medicine at the University of Bolton.

Professor George E Holmes, president and vice chancellor at the university, said: “We are delighted to host this fascinating and extremely important webinar.

“As a university that values all the diverse communities we serve, it is so important that the facts are presented to help people understand why getting the vaccination is so crucial. I would like to thank the eminent panel for agreeing to take part.”

The webinar will take place on February 17th at 3pm and is open to everyone. Register here.