Sean Ward shares angry rant telling people not to have Covid vaccine days after anti-lockdown march

Actor Sean Ward has shared an angry rant telling fans not to have a Covid vaccine, claiming it’ll turn them into ‘super-spreaders’. 

The Our Girl star, 32, posted his nonsensical argument to Instagram Stories on Thursday, just days after he was slammed for joining thousands of mask-free protesters for an anti-lockdown march through London.

Sean struggled to hide his emotion as he faced the camera to talk about survival rate statistics on the same day research claimed to have found vaccinations spared more than 6,000 lives by the end of February.

Saying his piece: Sean Ward shared an angry rant telling fans not to have a Covid vaccine to Instagram Stories on Thursday, claiming it’ll turn them into ‘super-spreaders’

Sean, who has also appeared in Coronation Street, said: ‘This is just your daily reminder that Covid-19 has an effective survival rate of 99.96 per cent if you are age 0 to 60 with or without an underlying health condition.

‘The vaccine has 95. The Johnson & Johnson has 81. So you’re taking the medicine that is putting you more at risk from dying to Covid and you don’t see the problem here [sic].

‘Stop. Stop with the vaccine. The more you have the vaccine, the closer we are to them coming to vaccinate the kids. ‘

He then continued, tapping his head, as he said: ‘Don’t take a medicine that is going to give you a less than effective chance to beat the virus. Come on. Common sense.’

Protesting: The Our Girl star, 32, was slammed for joining thousands of mask-free protesters for an anti-lockdown march through London at the weekend (pictured at the demonstration)

Protesting: The Our Girl star, 32, was slammed for joining thousands of mask-free protesters for an anti-lockdown march through London at the weekend (pictured at the demonstration)

More than 28million Britons have so far had their Covid jabs, with Pfizer, Oxford AstraZeneca and the Moderna vaccinations all being used in the UK.

And speaking as new data was revealed on Thursday suggesting more than 6,000 lives have been saved by vaccinations since February, Dr Mary Ramsay reassured people of their ‘excellent safety record’.

Dr Ramsay, PHE head of immunisation, said: ‘The vaccines have an excellent safety record and I would encourage anyone who is offered a vaccine to take it as soon as possible.’

She also reminded people to continue ‘practising good hand hygiene and staying at home’ while more data is gathered on how well they impact rates of transmission.

Despite the new data and government guidelines, Sean continued to voice his own theory and admitted he’d lost followers for airing his thoughts. 

Angry: Sean became emotional as he shared his thoughts with his 165K Instagram followers

Tapping his head, Sean said: 'Don't take a medicine that is going to give you a less than effective chance to beat the virus. Come on. Common sense'

Angry: Sean became emotional as he shared his thoughts with his 165K Instagram followers asking them to use ‘common sense’

Vaccinations: Government data up to March 23 shows 28,653,523 people have received a first vaccine dose, a rise of 325,650 on the previous day

Vaccinations: Government data up to March 23 shows 28,653,523 people have received a first vaccine dose, a rise of 325,650 on the previous day

He said: ‘Me as an asymptomatic person gets f*****g s**t flung at them. I lost over a couple of thousand followers because I’m asymptomatic and could now spread it.

‘So if you take the vaccine, you get low to no symptoms. Low to no symptoms, that’s what a vaccine does. It doesn’t stop transmission, so you can still pass it onto someone, but you’re going to have low to no symptoms.

‘Which I’m sorry, makes you asymptomatic. It turns YOU into a super-spreader, at a 95% survival rate. And we’re the f*****g nut jobs. The vaccine is not safe. Stop.’

Not done with his Stories sessions, Sean returned to Instagram later in the day to claim that ‘the science is being suppressed’ and say he’s going to have to do a post soon about ‘World War Three’. 

It comes as Matt Hancock said the vaccine rollout’s success meant he could ‘see an end’ to the crisis, after new Government-backed research had found vaccination spared more than 6,000 lives by the end of February.

Out of line: Sean was condemned by social media followers after taking part in an anti-lockdown demonstration over the weekend

Out of line: Sean was condemned by social media followers after taking part in an anti-lockdown demonstration over the weekend

HOW DO THE UK-APPROVED MODERNA, OXFORD AND PFIZER VACCINES COMPARE? 

Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech have both released interim results of the final stage clinical trials of their vaccines, with both suggesting they are extremely effective. 

Oxford University has published the findings from its second phase, which show the jab provokes an immune response and is safe to use – it is not yet clear how well it protects against coronavirus in the real world.

Here’s how they compare: 

PFIZER (US) & BIONTECH (DE)

mRNA vaccine – Genetic material from coronavirus is injected to trick immune system into making ‘spike’ proteins and learning how to attack them.

mRNA vaccine – both Moderna’s and Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccines work in the same way.

Recombinant viral vector vaccine – a harmless cold virus taken from chimpanzees was edited to produce the ‘spike’ proteins and look like the coronavirus.

94.5% effective (90 positive in placebo group, 5 positive in vaccine group) .

95% effective (160 positive in placebo group, 8 positive in vaccine group).

62% – 90% effective, depending on dosing.

Moderna confirmed it will charge countries placing smaller orders, such as the UK’s five million doses, between £24 and £28 per dose. US has secured 100million doses for $1.525billion (£1.16bn), suggesting it will cost $15.25 (£11.57) per dose.

The US will pay $1.95bn (£1.48bn) for the first 100m doses, a cost of $19.50 (£14.80) per dose.

Expected to cost £2.23 per dose. The UK’s full 100m dose supply could amount to just £223million.

UK has ordered five million doses which will become available from March 2021. Moderna will produce 20m doses this year, expected to stay in the US. 

UK has already ordered 40million doses, of which 10million could be available in 2020. First vaccinations expected in December.

UK has already ordered 100million doses and is expected to be first in line to get it once approved.

What side effects does it cause? 

Moderna said the vaccine is ‘generally safe and well tolerated’. Most side effects were mild or moderate but included pain, fatigue and headache, which were ‘generally’ short-lived. 

Pfizer and BioNTech did not produce a breakdown of side effects but said the Data Monitoring Committee ‘has not reported any serious safety concerns’.

Oxford said there have been no serious safety concerns. Mild side effects have been relatively common in small trials, with many participants reporting that their arm hurt after the jab and they later suffered a headache, exhaustion or muscle pain. More data is being collected.

His comments to the Financial Times also came as forecasts by No10’s scientists suggested the number of Covid patients being admitted to English hospitals is poised to halve in a fortnight, from 294 to fewer than 150.

The projections from the SPI-M modelling group also projected the number of deaths to drop fourfold, from 92 to 20, early next month and the level of inpatients with the disease to plummet from 4,000 to about 2,000.

The promising calculations, which have been presented to ministers, were made after children returned to classrooms this month, The Times reports. There were fears that reopening schools could trigger a wave of infections.

SPI-M’s modelling assumes that vaccinations will continue at current levels. More than 450,000 Brits are being jabbed every day, but there are fears that supply issues next month could drastically slow the scheme down.

Freedom: The actor posted a lengthy Instagram post in which he outlined his reasons for taking part in the controversial march in London on Sunday

Freedom: The actor posted a lengthy Instagram post in which he outlined his reasons for taking part in the controversial march in London on Sunday   

Government data up to March 23 shows 28,653,523 people have received a first vaccine dose, a rise of 325,650 on the previous day. Both AstraZeneca and Pfizer’s vaccines have been shown to cut deaths and hospitalisations by more than 90 per cent after both doses and symptomatic infections by over 60 per cent.

All the the metrics now suggest Boris Johnson’s cautious roadmap out of lockdown is firmly on track and the unusually optimistic projections from No10’s experts will pile more pressure on the PM to speed up his plan.

Sean’s rant comes after he was condemned by social media followers after taking part in an anti-lockdown demonstration over the weekend. 

The Our Girl star joined thousands of mask-free protesters as they thoughtlessly marched from Hyde Park to St Paul’s Cathedral and back to Westminster ahead of the anniversary of the first UK lockdown, which began on March 23 2020.

Sean filmed himself travelling to London by car before taking part in the mass event, from which she shared a series of video updates on Instagram.  

Speaking out: Ward insisted  'the psychological trauma so many people have been put under has to end'

Speaking out: Ward insisted 'the psychological trauma so many people have been put under has to end'

Speaking out: Ward insisted ‘the psychological trauma so many people have been put under has to end’

Getting involved: The Our Girl star joined thousands of mask-free protesters as they thoughtlessly marched from Hyde Park to St Paul¿s Cathedral and back to Westminster

Getting involved: The Our Girl star joined thousands of mask-free protesters as they thoughtlessly marched from Hyde Park to St Paul’s Cathedral and back to Westminster

Without a face covering in sight, the actor – who has also appeared in Coronation Street – posed for cheerful selfies with pals as they crammed in to rally against restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. 

‘Worst Bill since Gates,’ he announced in reference to Britain’s third national lockdown. ‘This is happening all over the world now, in every major city. This shouldn’t be happening, we shouldn’t need to convince this many people. 

‘The psychological trauma that so many people have been put under has to end. Someone has to be held accountable for it.’ 

Captioning a video of the demonstration, he added: ‘Over 80,000 people. All ages. Races. Creeds. All standing together for our basic human rights. I know it’s easy to give up our rights in such terrible times as now hoping you’re doing your bit and helping but it won’t be temporary. 

‘Once we loose the right to protest and your basic human rights. It’s game over. The irony of it all is we can’t all be crazy. Look at how many people are there. That’s 80,000 mums, dads brothers sisters. 

‘We aren’t all conspiracy theorist who hate the nhs. Quite the opposite. I have nhs whistleblowers in my DMs. Theres a lot going on behind the smoke and mirrors of constant fear. It’s deep. Stay powerful.’ [sic]

Not happy: Followers were divided over Ward's decision to get involved, with many slamming him for his perceived stupidity

Not happy: Followers were divided over Ward’s decision to get involved, with many slamming him for his perceived stupidity 

However his appearance at the event divided his 164,000 Instagram followers, with many slamming the star for his perceived stupidity. 

Commenting on the post, one disappointed fan wrote: ‘Sorry Sean but I am unfollowing you, I’ve been here since our girl started and I’ve stayed because everyone is entitled to their own opinions but promoting this is a step too far for me whilst my friends husband is currently fighting for his life and all these people who won’t vaccinate and protest are just spreaders. Shame on you all.’

A second added: ‘I don’t understand this. Do these people not believe covid is real or don’t believe in the vaccine or don’t care which is it??? We know the vaccine doesn’t stop the virus spreading. But medical research shows us its 99% effective in lowering the awful symptoms. 

‘No one’s claiming it cures the virus. I’m confused as to what these people are angry about? Freedom? I’m pretty free here sitting in the park enjoying the sun mask on if need be near many people. What’s the issue? People are dying from this god awful virus. Stop this. You’d soon all need the NHS if you caught it. These NHS workers and key workers. Thank god for them!’ 

Bare faced cheek: Without a face covering in sight, the actor posed for cheerful selfies with pals as they crammed in to rally against restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic

Bare faced cheek: Without a face covering in sight, the actor posed for cheerful selfies with pals as they crammed in to rally against restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic

Packed: Thousands of protesters waving signs marched through central London after meeting earlier in the afternoon in Hyde Park

Packed: Thousands of protesters waving signs marched through central London after meeting earlier in the afternoon in Hyde Park

While a third commented: ‘We are in lockdown!! Wtf! Ridiculous. Irresponsible. What a k**b. How to ruin your ‘career.”

Another furious follower wrote: ‘Idiots. And to think they allow people like you to breed. SHAKE MY HEAD.’ 

Elsewhere others supported Ward, with one writing: ‘Why people announce they are unfollowing what do you want him to say please don’t, he was fighting for your freedom, even if you don’t agree, and hundreds and thousands more were around the world love and light.

Familiar face: Laurence Fox was seen attending the rally in Hyde Park London. The actor is fighting to become the next mayor of London

Familiar face: Laurence Fox was seen attending the rally in Hyde Park London. The actor is fighting to become the next mayor of London

Keep on: However others supported Ward and his decision to go on Sunday's march

Keep on: However others supported Ward and his decision to go on Sunday’s march 

‘Seemingly in agreement, a second added: ‘Absolutely love this! Gutted I couldn’t go.’  

The Metropolitan Police walked with protesters on their route along Oxford Street, Chancery Lane, the Embankment and Parliament Square before heading up Whitehall.

Among those attending the march were controversial actor Laurence Fox and Piers Corbyn, brother of the former Labour Party leader Jeremy.

Crowds that gathered in Trafalgar Square were dispersed, while other demonstrators returned to Hyde Park.

Don't mind me: But Ward was hard to miss as he mingled with pals during the event

Don’t mind me: But Ward was hard to miss as he mingled with pals during the event 

But police were met with more hostile responses later in the evening, as protesters threw bottles and cans at them and some officers were later forced to run back to their vans.

A group of around 100 chased police vehicles, punching and kicking them, as they left the area.

Members of the public left the park, with small children carried by their parents.

Around 100 police officers wearing riot helmets and carrying shields then arrived and urged people to go home. 

The Met said 36 people had been arrested by 6.45pm, many for breaching Covid regulations.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who led the policing operation, said while the majority in attendance caused no trouble, there were pockets of disorder with crowds throwing bottles and other missiles and a number of officers were assaulted.

Trouble: Police officers detain a demonstrator in Hyde Park, London, during a protest against lockdown

Trouble: Police officers detain a demonstrator in Hyde Park, London, during a protest against lockdown 

On a challenging day for the force, officers tried to explain to people their actions were unlawful under Covid-19 regulations, and encouraged them to go home to protect themselves and others during the public health crisis.

‘Where this approach did not work and officers were met with hostility, police enforced the regulations and made arrests,’ he said. 

DAC Taylor added: ‘We once again saw police come under fire from missiles thrown by people in crowds, and several were injured as a result of targeted assaults.

‘It is totally unacceptable and saddening that officers enforcing regulations that are there to protect us all were the victims of violent attacks. I wish them a speedy recovery.

‘Many of those on duty in central London today should have been in their local communities dealing with violent crime and other local issues, but they played a role in reducing the risk of Covid-19 spreading by dispersing crowds.’ 

MailOnline contacted a representative for Sean for further comment at the time. 

Old times: Ward found fame in Coronation Street (pictured) before securing a role in army drama Our Girl

Old times: Ward found fame in Coronation Street (pictured) before securing a role in army drama Our Girl