Top doctor BLASTS Pete Evans for rebranding his anti-vaxxer views as ‘pro choice’

A leading doctor has taken aim at controversial chef Pete Evans, accusing him of trying to disguise his dangerous and unscientific anti-vaxxer views using language that sounds more socially acceptable.

Pete, who has previously made his anti-vaccination stance clear, recently claimed he was not an anti-vaxxer, but was instead ‘pro-choice’ and ‘pro-safe vac’ – terms that incorrectly insinuate that some vaccines are not safe.

Pete’s attempt at a re-brand hasn’t gone unnoticed, however.  

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Dr Harry Nespolon, president of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, said: ‘Pete Evans now appears to be trying to walk back his anti-vaxxer messaging but I don’t think anyone is buying it.’ 

Despite Pete’s claim that he’s ‘not anti-vaccination’, the terms ‘pro choice’ and ‘pro-safe vac’ incorrectly insinuate that vaccines may be not safe.  

Vaccines are completely safe and must pass stringent safety tests before being registered for public use.  

‘[Pete’s] long history of anti-vaxxer advocacy, his questioning of the science underpinning vaccinations and his incredible description of himself as ‘pro-choice for medical freedom’ on vaccines makes any turnaround difficult to believe,’ said Dr Nespolon. 

Dr Nespolon believes Pete is trying to modify his language to make his conspiracy theory appealing to the masses. 

‘I think it is more likely that he is just as intent on anti-vaxxer advocacy as ever but is simply trying to modify his language to achieve maximum reach on mainstream media platforms and get more Australians on board,’ he said.  

During his interview with The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday, Pete said he couldn’t agree with the flu jab legislation. 

Pete, who was released from his contract with Channel Seven after falsely claiming a ‘healing lamp’ could help cure coronavirus, cited supposed scientific research claiming ‘there is the potential that it increases your risk of coming down with greater symptoms of COVID-19’.  

In response, Dr Nespolon has accused Pete of ‘exploiting fears concerning the COVID-19 pandemic’ to bolster support for his unscientific claims on social media.   

The health expert proceeded to challenge Pete to talk about jabs with someone who has suffered from polio – a preventable disease that killed hundreds of Australians before a vaccine was introduced in 1956. 

‘If you speak to someone today who suffered from polio as a child they will tell you how important vaccinations are,’ he said. 

‘I encourage anti-vaxxers like Pete Evans to sit down and have a chat with them to learn about their views on anti-vaccination advocacy. Hopefully, it will change their minds about the harm they are causing.’       

The benefits of immunisation far outweigh the rare risk of having a temporary reaction such as redness and swelling at the injection site, or a mild fever.  

These reactions are worth it, given the potentially threatening consequences of contracting a preventable disease.  

Vaccinations are vital to reducing the spread of preventable diseases, and any suggestion otherwise flies in the face of science and the advice of medical experts around the globe.