With 40 years in medicine, Dr Anne McCloskey should be taken seriously

In certain ancient societies, it was commonplace to attack the messenger if the message was unpopular. That’s a long time ago now, but the more things change, the more they remain the same.

In the stampede to attack Dr Anne McCloskey (‘Anti-vaccine GP Anne McCloskey suspended by health officials,’ August 24, see link below), the crucial point of her message was ignored. Dr McCloskey said that a teenage girl with a blood clot in her upper arm had recently attended her out-of-hours clinic. The young lady, previously healthy and fit, had developed the clot in the first week after her second Covid vaccine.

Earlier this year, several European countries temporarily suspended the Astra Zeneca vaccine because of links to blood clotting. The rollout of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was halted for the same reason in the US. Therefore, it was entirely logical for Dr McCloskey to suspect these symptoms may be vaccine related. But instead of addressing her concerns, they were quickly brushed under the carpet. Censorship of this kind will only deter other doctors from coming forward to report similar problems.

In 40 years of medicine, Dr McCloskey said she never previously encountered a blood clot in the upper arm of a healthy young person. When a doctor with her wealth of experience says this, it just has to be taken seriously.

It is essential that a thorough investigation is conducted to establish the root cause and prevalence of this condition. Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride should call for this without delay.

Patrick McGinnity, Veterinary Surgeon, Derrynoose, Armagh

Anti-vaccine GP Anne McCloskey suspended by health officials

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