Israel's Health Ministry announced that an obstetrician at a Tel Aviv medical center will be formally censured over spreading rumours about "vaccine-induced psychosis" over social media.
After a 32-year-old woman was found dead at her home in Israel's West Bank a week ago, her husband was arrested for shooting her with his police-issued weapon. Though they had been arguing prior to the murder, the husband insisted that he "didn't know what had come over him" and is currently scheduled for a psychiatric evaluation. While discussing the murder on a popular WhatsApp group, Dr. Rotem Inbar suggested that the killing may have been related to the coronavirus vaccine. After citing "psychotic or neurological situations because of the vaccine", Dr. Inbar added that "a long relationship like the one described, that is good and caring. And suddenly he doesn't understand what happened and experienced a blackout. Of course it is most likely not that, it just made me think of the option."
In a formal statement censuring Inbar, the Health Ministry announced that "A doctor without the proper training expressed herself in a miserable and absurd way in a WhatsApp group. We regard this as a very grave situation and, at the instruction of Health Ministry Director-General Chezy Levy, the doctor will be summoned for a clarification meeting. It is expected that healthcare workers will be careful not to disseminate fake news."
While Israel's coronavirus vaccine program is well underway, the Health Ministry has been actively combating "fake news" that has been impeding efforts to immunize people across the country. This includes false reports about vaccine ingredients and unsubstantiated rumours about side effects and other medical complications supposedly caused by the vaccine. As a result, while all Israelis older than 16 are eligible for the vaccine, the number of daily shots appear to be declining due to "no-shows" and general reluctance among the younger population to get vaccinated. While demand remains strong, Israeli authorities regard actions such as those taken by Dr. Inbar to be highly damaging.
As for Dr. Inbar herself, she insists that her words were taken out of context. "Following reports of side effects of the Pfizer vaccine by those who were vaccinated, I brought up my musings in a closed WhatsApp group," she told reporters. "In the next message I expressed reservations. I am sorry that my words were not properly understood."
Similar problems are being reported in many other countries as well as vaccine rumours continue unchecked. In India, for example, politicians from opposing parties have openly challenged public vaccination efforts to undermine the ruling BJP party with politicians openly speculating that the vaccine contains a microchip as well as causing impotence. Islamic scholars have also challenged the vaccine with unsubstantiated claims that it contains pork ingredients.
Despite attempts to sabotage vaccination campaigns worldwide, with active cooperation among anti-vaccine groups around the world, demand for the vaccine remains high.
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