Lorraine Kelly's ITV breakfast show has come under fire after Dr Hilary encouraged parents to vaccinate their young children.
Dr Hilary appeared on the show on Thursday morning and discussed the positives of vaccinating young children aged five to 11 with Christine Lampard, who stepped in for Lorraine Kelly.
The TV doctor urged parents to go forward with vaccinating their children after plans were announced that the government are allowing kids aged five to 11 in the UK to be offered a low dose of the vaccine.
He acknowledged the parental anxiety around possible side-effects from the jab, but noted that eight million doses have been delivered in the US with “no real problems at all”.
He said: “Their risks are quite small in that age group, however primary school kids at the moment are the age group that have the highest number of cases of Covid.
“It’s ripping through schools at the moment. Many children are losing a lot of time in school as a result. If we vaccinate children they will be having their education and not be bringing the infection back home.”
He added: “It’s considered to be extremely safe and effective. That’s the major thing.
“The side-effects that people are worried about - particularly myocarditis, which is a mild inflammation of the heart and occurs in about two children of every million who are vaccinated, so it’s very, very rare, it’s also short-lived and temporary.
“You’re much more likely to get myocarditis with Covid itself or a host of other infections, so in the great scheme of things the risks are tiny.”
Dr Hilary said the rollout to youngsters is not considered to be “urgent”, the GP said he would vaccinate his children with the jab if they were this age.
However, not all viewers agreed with Dr Hilary's views on vaccinating young children.
One user wrote: "@lorraine Dr Hilary Jones is yet again trying to convince parents to give their children a vaccination that nobody knows the real long term effects of! Saying there are no side effects…. Lies! #lorraine #childrenhavedied"
Another queried: "#lorraine @GMB how can Dr Hilary say that by children having vaccines they are less likely to get #COVID19 and be able to stay in school - I had all 3 jabs and still got it twice?"
"#lorraine dr Hilary utter scum bag," ranted another.
Someone else raged: "Dr Hilary talks the most s*** I’ve ever heard any one come out with"
"Hey @ITV @reallorraine @DrHilaryJones misinformation AGAIN on the show. Dr Hilary advises the jab protects from covid and saying risks are tiny. He is LYING and you're being referred to @Ofcom AGAIN," tweeted someone else.
Another user tweeted: "Listening to Dr Hilary promoting the vaccine for 5-11 years. They then won't take covid back to families...which part has he not grasped you can get covid even when vaccinated, just like many thousands. long tern what are the effects this vaccine in the making since 2020!!!"
Someone else continued: "Dr Hilary again saying if he had children aged 5-11 he would have his children vaccinated, he is one evil bastard, children do not need this poison in there bodies. Looks like he's just been on holiday as well, not bad for a doctor who's never in his practice #DRDOG."
"Turned ma telly on to see that prick dr Hilary! How is he allowed to speak absolute bullshit on national tv. why is he still getting away with all these lies!," said another.
This isn't the first time Lorraine's ITV show has been hit with complaints around Dr Hilary discussing vaccinations.
Lorraine was issued a warning from broadcasting watchdog Ofcom after Dr Hilary's coronavirus comments racked up a whopping 4,000 complaints.
Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV at 9am.
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