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22
Mar 2021
Harrogate thalidomide campaigner backs covid vaccine
Harrogate thalidomide campaigner Guy Tweedy has said he had no hesitation taking the covid vaccine and has urged others to do likewise.
Businessman Mr Tweedy has been instrumental in the long-running campaign against the German drug company that gave thalidomide to pregnant mothers suffering from morning sickness in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
It led to thousands of babies in the UK, including Mr Tweedy, being born with severe disabilities.
Speaking today, he said "not all drug companies are wonderful" but added he was prepared to have the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab two weeks ago, particularly after listening to Professor Sarah Gilbert, who worked on the vaccine at the university:
Read more:
- Harrogate Thalidomide campaigner pays tribute to Sir Harold Evans
- Covid vaccine tally in Harrogate district hits 70,000
Some anti-vaxxers have used the side effects of thalidomide as a reason not to take the covid vaccine.
This prompted Dr Ruth Blue, a consultant for the Thalidomide Society, to describe comparisons between the two as “insulting”.
Mr Tweedy agreed it was wrong to draw comparisons between the impact of thalidomide and the vaccine.
He added:
He advised others to put their concerns to one side and be inoculated.
More than 70,000 people in the Harrogate district have received their first jab.
Mr Tweedy praised the speed of the UK vaccination rollout compared to other European countries.
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