DEATH THREATS TO DOC IN CALL OVER VACCINES Medic urges school ban on pupils without jabs
A DOCTOR has received death threats after saying unvaccinated children should be banned from schools and creches.
Dr Dominic Rowley, who is based at Portlaoise Hospital, added he was called a “parasite” and “depraved” over his proposal.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, he said: “I have been told to go hang myself and if I didn’t do it, someone would do it for me.”
The genital urinary consultant has urged Health Minister Simon Harris to “take a bold step” with his proposal.
He tweeted: “It’s a really simple life saving concept. We should be protecting those kids who cannot receive #vaccines.”
Mr Harris replied he “instinctively” agreed with banning unvaccinated pupils from schools and would “research further” despite possible constitutional issues. Dr Rowley said despite the extreme trolling he has received many positive messages in agreement with his idea.
He added: “I’ve heard from the most wonderful people, saying keep up the good fight.
“I have received about 70% nice and 30% awful messages and then a lot of the extreme groups have joined in.
“For example, a lot of anti-abortion groups have given me grief as well but I’m not sure where this extremism comes from.
“These vaccines are miracles, especially the one that stops you getting cancer.
“I knew the tweet was controversial but I think the pro-vaccine people need to have a stronger voice because I don’t think anybody in 2019 should be dying of preventable illness.”
Dr Rowley told the Irish Mirror his campaigning about pro-vaccination has altered parents’ views.
He added: “I think the responsibility lies with social media, with companies like Facebook and Twitter, they have moderators and that’s where the responsibility lies to clamp down on misinformation. “Anti-vaxxers have put out so much misinformation that parents get frightened and it’s our job for parents to stop getting frightened.”
We should protect those kids who can’t receive vaccines
DR DOMINIC ROWLEY
DUBLIN YESTERDAY