I’m A Celebrity winner Abbie Chatfield slams anti-vaxxers who scare women off from Covid-19 shots

Former Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield slams anti-vax influencers for scaring young women off the covid-19 vaccination and says she’s ended friendships with famous friends over it

Abbie Chatfield has revealed that she has ‘ended friendships’ with fellow influencers who promote an anti-vaccination stance. 

Appearing on ABC’s The Drum on Friday, the former Bachelor star had damming words for those who discourage their fans from receiving vaccines.     

‘I’ve ended friendships with people who have a platform and have posted anti-vax rhetoric. It does concern me, the direct access they have to young people,’ she said.

Opinion: Abbie Chatfield (pictured) has revealed that she has ‘ended friendships’ with fellow influencers who promote an anti-vaccination stance

Abbie added that she blames certain influencers for discouraging young women from getting Covid-19 jabs, amount other types of vaccines. 

‘The reason why young women are [becoming] anti-vaxxers is because of influencers, and the influence they have on young people.    

‘I think young people particularly are very easily convinced to do whatever the favourite influencer is doing. 

Speaking up: Appearing on The Drum on Friday evening, Abbie had damming words for those who discourage their fans from receiving vaccines. 'I've ended friendships with people who have a platform and have posted anti-vax rhetoric,' she said

Speaking up: Appearing on The Drum on Friday evening, Abbie had damming words for those who discourage their fans from receiving vaccines. ‘I’ve ended friendships with people who have a platform and have posted anti-vax rhetoric,’ she said

Vaccine woes: Abbie added that she blames certain influencers for discouraging young women from getting Covid-19 jabs. 'The reason why young women are [becoming] anti-vaxxers is because of influencers, and the influence they have on young people' she said

Vaccine woes: Abbie added that she blames certain influencers for discouraging young women from getting Covid-19 jabs. ‘The reason why young women are [becoming] anti-vaxxers is because of influencers, and the influence they have on young people’ she said 

‘If you’re having a baby and saying, “I’m not vaccinating my baby, it is up to you, though”, it’s a soft push.’ 

The It’s A Lot podcast host added that the ‘soft push’ tactic also extends to the concept of vaccines being ‘my body, my choice’.  

She told the panel: ‘The most dangerous thing for young people in Australia is this soft idea of not wanting the Covid vaccine [because it’s “your choice”].’ 

Abbie added: ‘[You see] a young woman around your age, you love her clothing line you think maybe there is something in this.’ 

Issues: The podcast host added that a 'soft push' tactic extends to the concept of vaccines being 'my body, my choice'. She told the panel: 'The most dangerous thing for young people in Australia is this soft idea of not wanting the Covid vaccine [because it's "your choice"]'

Issues: The podcast host added that a ‘soft push’ tactic extends to the concept of vaccines being ‘my body, my choice’. She told the panel: ‘The most dangerous thing for young people in Australia is this soft idea of not wanting the Covid vaccine [because it’s “your choice”]’ 

It comes after  Australian health authorities on Thursday night recommended the AstraZeneca vaccine not be used for people under 50.   

The recommendation by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) was accepted by the federal government under an ‘abundance of caution’ over the ‘rare but serious’ side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Australia had ordered 20 million imported doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough for 10 million people, but had banked on the AstraZeneca product for the majority of shots with biopharma CSL Ltd contracted to make 50 million doses domestically.

Pfizer remained committed to delivering all 20 million doses by the end of 2021.  

Limits: It comes after Australian health authorities on Thursday night recommended the AstraZeneca vaccine not be used for people under 50

Limits: It comes after Australian health authorities on Thursday night recommended the AstraZeneca vaccine not be used for people under 50