SIBU: A Catholic priest here has advised anti-vaxxers to stop sharing negative stories on the Covid-19 vaccine, The Star reports.
Father Ivan Fang from the Sacred Heart Cathedral here said he normally does not share stories on social media but this time he had to come out to share his view as there were people spreading false stories on the vaccine.
“I am not one who usually likes to share anything via social media except work-related material. But the recent sharing of negative stories about the vaccine is a concern which warrants that I speak out rather than stay quiet.
“Otherwise my silence can be construed as condoning the actions of all those who would share such negative stories which appear on the Internet without hesitation,” he said.
Father Ivan emphasised that it was not fair that the negativity gets a lot of airing while no one shares anything good about the vaccines.
“It seems that these doubters are using these negative stories to reinforce and justify their doubts and fears,” he added.
He feared that these negative stories may indirectly cause the death of individuals who caught the virus after refusing vaccination earlier due to what they had read.
“You may argue that the vaccines are not 100% effective, and you are right, but we have to make use of what is at our disposal to do good and to prevent harm,” he asserted.
He advised those who received negative information on the vaccine to delete it right away.
“Stop using it to reinforce your fears and then sharing your fears with your friends,” he said while advising the people to read and share stories on the benefits of the vaccine.