Canterbury hooker Sione Katoa has launched an impassioned defence of anti-vaxxers and explained why his family chooses not to get the flu shot.
It’s the hottest topic in rugby league at the moment, after it was last week revealed a number of NRL players refused to get the needle which the governing body had tried to make compulsory.
It was a promise the ARLC allegedly made to state governments in an extensive document which detailed how the NRL season could resume safely in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Queensland government stepped in to force Gold Coast to stand down Bryce Cartwright and Brian Kelly, who refused to get the shot.
The NSW government won’t follow suit and NSW health officer Kerry Chant said it will be left up to the NRL how to deal with those state-based anti-vax players.
“It is really a matter for the NRL as a workplace employer to consider their occupational health and safety obligations,” Chant said.
“Clearly there will be ramifications for them.
“It is in their best interest to exclude any flu-like illness amongst players because according to their plan any player who has any respiratory illness is not allowed to play.”
So while Katoa may not necessarily be stood down, he is clearly furious at the treatment of his friends Cartwright and Kelly who are excluded from training with the Titans.
Katoa took to Instagram to post a passionate rant about his own stance.
“I’ve had a few people contact me and ask why I declined the flu shot and wanted to share my reasons behind it, particularly now with one of our closest mates @brycecartwright6 and teammate Brian being stood down,” Katoa wrote.
“Lately I’ve seen journalists, reporters and mainstream media creating a divide between the community, the fans and the NRL by constantly shaming and bullying NRL players and their families who stand for freedom of choice.
“We acknowledge that the flu shot has the ability to result in serious adverse reactions and has also claimed lives. In 2018, the step father of a friend sadly passed away within 48 hours of his flu shot. He was an adult man, with no underlying health conditions.
“What if this were to happen to our family, or yours? Why are people so quick to advocate for “herd immunity” and not acknowledge vaccine injury/death? There are plenty of families within the NRL alone that suffer from vaccine injury.
“We used to be very pro-vaxx and judged those who chose not to vaccinate. Those judgments quickly passed as soon as vaccines caused health issues for our eldest son, Chase. “He was constantly sick after his shots, resulting in many trips to the hospital and doctors office. Our son was helpless and never getting any better, so we reached out for a second opinion which lead us down the path of holistic health. After seeking advice from medical professionals and seeing the positive impact that it had on our sons health, we made the informed decision to no longer vaccinate ourselves or our children.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...l/news-story/fc384267ddd6c00dbe2b9bd7d581b9af
