BBC Question Time has entire unvaccinated crowd challenge experts on jags

04.02.2022 - 13:57 / dailyrecord.co.uk

BBC’s Question Time last night featured an entire crowd of unvaccinated audience members who challenged a panel of health experts.

The unique show came about after an appeal was launched last month to give people a chance to voice scepticism and ask questions about the benefits of getting the jab.

Presenter Fiona Bruce previously called for people who have chosen not to have a covid-19 jab to apply for the episode, which was broadcast from London.

Thursday’s panel included Conservative MP Crispin Blunt, Labour shadow mental health minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Imperial College’s Robin Shattock, Victor Adebowale, chair of the NHS Confederation and The Daily Telegraph’s Tim Stanley.

Asked by an unvaccinated philosophy graduate what “rights individuals have” to choose whether or not to get the jab because of health concerns, Prof Shattock said there was “overwhelming evidence” the vaccine was safe.

He added later: “I think the issue here is that it’s not just about personal choice… You’re not just getting vaccinated to ensure your own health, it’s about ensuring everybody else’s health.”

Another audience member questioned whether checks for natural immunity could be used as an alternative to the vaccine, according to Wales Online.

Asked whether antibody tests should be prioritised higher in the covid-19 response, Prof Shattock said: “The issue is natural immunity is very variable. You can’t in a mass population basis go around and measure everybody’s antibody levels.”

Other members of the panel criticised ministers for their approach towards mandatory vaccines for NHS workers.

Lord Adebowale, a crossbench peer, accused the Government of causing “incredible pain and anguish” to healthcare professionals by backtracking from