The BBC Question Time audience will feature unvaccinated members of the public on Thursday, February 3.
The idea behind the programme, which has proved controversial since it was announced, was explained by presenter Fiona Bruce on January 17 when she gave the usual call-out for audience members on an upcoming show but this time, for an audience with a difference.
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During the programme, Fiona made an appeal for unvaccinated people to come forward and be part of the audience for a special debate.
She said: "One thing we've noticed in our debate about Covid, which of course is something we've talked about a lot on this programme, is that we rarely hear from those of you who've chosen not to get vaccinated.
"And on February 3 we're going to be in London where the vaccination rate is significantly lower than many other parts of the country.
She continued: "We'd be really interested in exploring why that is.
"I think it's an important debate and we'd very much like to hear from you, so if you've chosen not to get vaccinated, we'd really like to explore that issue - do get in touch."
The decision to seek out unvaccinated individuals comes after concern that the BBC show, which is meant to represent all views by its very nature, had failed to represent the views of the 10% of Brits who have not had a jab.
Twitter reacted with one user, Edlon69 saying: "I wouldn't like to be in the audience with unvaccinated morons."
@NatBatsx said: "Host of neutral debate? Yes. But not at the expense of public health, which people who are unvaccinated pose. There are other ways for the BBC to study the anti vax crowd without giving them Question.Time, a open platform, free from fact checking. I find it a nonsensical idea."
Following the call out on January 17, reportedly a social media channel called Telegram was used by some anti-vaxx activists to coordinate and apply for the programme with Tweets referring to it, such as this one by @_johnbye:
"Anti-vax activists are coordinating on Telegram, trying to get onto the Question Time audience, after a recent call from the BBC for unvaccinated people to apply. Who didn't see this coming?"
The BBC are hoping to fill the audience with members of the public who can debate the issue, rather than more extreme anti-vaxx activists and in reaction to the suggestion that the programme was being billed as a platform for extreme views, it's been revealed that the BBC have employed an in-house "disinformation specialist" tasked with helping to vet audience members in advance, although it's not been made clear how they will do so.
BBC Question Time is on Thursday, February 3, BBC1 at 10.35pm.
