British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad has acknowledged he regrets getting the COVID-19 vaccination after dodging questions about his position a day earlier.
He told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday that he had experienced heart problems about six weeks after receiving his second dose, and that he discussed the issue with health officials when he received his third dose several months later.
“They asked me just one question: ‘Moderna?’ That tells me something was wrong. So, from that point of view, I regret getting the Covid vaccine,” Rustad said.
Rustad did not answer any further questions at a second event later that afternoon. CBC News has reached out to the BC Conservative Party for further comment.
His comments came a day after the BC New Democratic Party shared a video in which he said he regretted getting the “so-called vaccine” for COVID-19.
The video excerpt released by the NDP is an edited version of a longer video posted online by BC Employees for Public Service Freedom, a group of former employees, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, who argue that mandatory vaccination in the workplace violates medical privacy and human rights. The group says the conversation took place on June 14.
WATCH | Excerpts of Rustad’s conversation with the BC Public Servants’ Liberal Association shared by the NDP:
John Rustad says in a video released by the NDP that he regrets getting the “so-called vaccine” for COVID-19.
In a July video released by the BC New Democratic Party, BC Conservative Leader John Rustad is seen discussing mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations with the BC Public Servants Liberal Association and saying he regrets getting the “so-called vaccine.”
During a press conference on Monday, reporters repeatedly questioned him about the video and his stance on the COVID-19 vaccination program, and while he repeatedly dodged the questions, he said it was a “horrifying problem” that unvaccinated doctors and nurses in British Columbia have been unable to return to work until now.
The government lifted vaccination requirements for medical workers in July.
NDP Leader David Eby said of the video that Rustad is “spreading the idea that vaccines don’t work, when in fact “COVID vaccines have saved so many lives in this province.”
WATCH | Rustad answers questions about Monday’s video:
John Rustad asked about his stance on COVID-19 vaccines
B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad came under questioning on the campaign trail after the province’s New Democratic Party released a video of the leader saying he regrets getting the “so-called vaccine” for COVID-19.
Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Centre for Infectious Diseases, said a lot is being said out of fear and lack of knowledge during the pandemic. In response to the video, he stressed the importance of political leaders like Rustad demonstrating and promoting confidence in vaccinations.
“Vaccines have transformed civilization over the last two generations,” Conway said in an interview with CBC’s Early Edition ahead of Rustad’s new comments.
“Before the pandemic, we never really thought about all the vaccinations that we agreed to have our children get from birth. I think we need to get back there. … The best thing he can do for all of us is to sit in front of a camera and get a flu shot and a COVID shot as soon as they’re available to us.”
LISTEN | What you need to know about vaccines this fall:
Early Edition 7:26 What you need to know about vaccines this fall
Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Centre for Infectious Diseases, explains what vaccines will be available this fall, the expected rollout and messaging to the public.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Rustad said he has traditionally gotten a flu shot every year, but last year was the first year he wasn’t able to get one due to a scheduling conflict.
“I believe that’s a good thing,” he said.
“In my view, flu vaccinations should be available and provided, particularly for vulnerable people and the elderly, and the same goes for COVID vaccines for vulnerable people who need them. Of course, the government will cover the costs of these, just like flu vaccinations and so on, so nothing will change in that respect.”
