Health Minister Robin Swann hits back at ‘unfounded’ pro-life concerns about Pfizer vaccine after DUP councillor’s ‘aborted babies’ remarks

Health Minister Robin Swann has hit out at those “making unfounded claims on social media” about the Pfizer vaccine being rolled out across Northern Ireland on pro-life grounds.
By Niall Deeney
Published 10th Dec 2020, 16:10 BST
Updated 10th Dec 2020, 16:21 BST
PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/12/2020 Sister Joanna Sloan (left) becomes the first person in Northern Ireland to receive the first of two Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine jabs, at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in Belfast, on the first day of the largest immunisation programme in the UK's history. Care home workers, NHS staff and people aged 80 and over will begin receiving the jab from Tuesday. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday December 8, 2020. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA WirePACEMAKER BELFAST 08/12/2020 Sister Joanna Sloan (left) becomes the first person in Northern Ireland to receive the first of two Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine jabs, at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in Belfast, on the first day of the largest immunisation programme in the UK's history. Care home workers, NHS staff and people aged 80 and over will begin receiving the jab from Tuesday. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday December 8, 2020. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/12/2020 Sister Joanna Sloan (left) becomes the first person in Northern Ireland to receive the first of two Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine jabs, at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in Belfast, on the first day of the largest immunisation programme in the UK's history. Care home workers, NHS staff and people aged 80 and over will begin receiving the jab from Tuesday. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday December 8, 2020. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The Minister issued a statement accusing those spreading claims about the vaccine on social media of “overstepping the line” after a DUP councillor claimed the vaccine contained “human cells”.

Mid and East Antrim Alderman John Carson made the comments on social media.

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He was asked by an individual on Facebook if he would take the Covid-19 vaccine when it is offered to him.

Robin SwannRobin Swann
Robin Swann

“Definitely no,” he said. “It contains stem cells and tissue from aborted babies,” he added.

Mr Swann, however, said some pro-life activists are ironically criticising a vaccination programme that will save many lives.

“The Covid-19 vaccination programme is not compulsory,” the minister said. “People are entitled to their own views and I fully respect that.

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“However, they are not entitled to mislead others and potentially deter them from taking a vaccine that will protect them from a lethal virus.

“Making unfounded claims on social media is overstepping the line and I urge them to think again.”

He continued: “Firstly, it should be stressed that the Pfizer vaccine does not contain any human cells.

“Secondly, and crucially, It must be remembered that vaccines have saved millions of lives worldwide.

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“We need widespread take-up of the Covid-19 vaccine in NI to protect the population, particularly older and vulnerable citizens in our community. Widespread take-up will also help us move gradually towards the easing of restrictions in society.

“It is disappointing that people calling themselves pro-life would be objecting to vaccination programme that will save many lives.””

The Pfizer vaccine has been developed using cells that may have ultimately derived from human tissue taken from an aborted foetus, most likely in the 1970s or 1980s, which have then been replicated under laboratory conditions.

Mr Swann said any link between the vaccine is “incidental and remote”.

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“It is the case that the development and testing of some vaccines can include the use of human cell lines grown in labs, having been replicated from fetal cells obtained in previous decades following abortions,” he said.

“If people want to object on those grounds and leave themselves unprotected from Covid-19 that is their choice. They will be at odds with other pro-life advocates including the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference who issued a very clear statement this week.

“Any link between any vaccination development and abortions is incidental and remote, involving cells replicated in labs.

“As the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference stated, refusal to accept a vaccine could contribute to significant loss of life in the community and especially among those who are most vulnerable.”

Mr Swann added: “In matters of conscience, I believe saving the lives of our fellow citizens in the here and now must come first.”

Related topics:Robin SwannJohn CarsonPeoplePfizerDUPNorthern IrelandCovid-19