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Jessica Biel has clarified claims she doesn’t believe in children having vaccinations

A day after copping significant criticism for seemingly supporting anti-vaccinations, Jessica Biel has quickly qualified her position.

Justin Timberlake photobombs Jessica Biel on the Oscars red carpet

Actress Jessica Biel has claimed she’s “not against vaccinations” — days after joining anti-vaxxer advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in lobbying against a controversial vaccine bill in California.

The actress defended appearing before California politicians earlier this week to voice opposition to SB277, a state bill which would limit medical exemptions from vaccines, reports the New York Post.

Jessica Biel and prominent anti-vaccination activist Robert Kennedy Jr lobbied against a bill that would limit exemptions from vaccinations. Picture: Instagram
Jessica Biel and prominent anti-vaccination activist Robert Kennedy Jr lobbied against a bill that would limit exemptions from vaccinations. Picture: Instagram

“I am not against vaccinations — I support children getting vaccinations and I also support families having the right to make educated medical decisions for their children alongside their physicians,” Biel wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday morning (local time).

She said her “concern” with SB277 is “solely regarding medical exemptions” — and is a personal issue.

“My dearest friends have a child with a medical condition that warrants an exemption from vaccinations, and should this bill pass, it would greatly affect their family’s ability to care for their child in this state,” wrote Biel, alongside a photo showing her outside the statehouse.

She continued, “That’s why I spoke to legislators and argued against this bill. Not because I don’t believe in vaccinations, but because I believe in giving doctors and the families they treat the ability to decide what’s best for their patients and the ability to provide that treatment.”

Biel’s stance on vaccines came under renewed scrutiny following a report by The Daily Beast on Wednesday that labelled her as an anti-vaxxer and quoted Kennedy saying she was “upset about this issue because of its particular cruelty.”

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake have a four-year-old son, Silas. Picture: Instagram
Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake have a four-year-old son, Silas. Picture: Instagram

The environmental activist posted photos on Instagram calling Biel “courageous” and saying they spent a “busy and productive day at the California State House.”

In 2015, Kennedy compared child vaccinations to the “holocaust” in blaming inoculations on an increase in autism. He later apologised.

Biel has one son, four-year-old Silas, with husband Justin Timberlake.

Jessica Biel with Robert Kennedy Jr who has been an outspoken opponent of vaccinations in children. Picture: Instagram
Jessica Biel with Robert Kennedy Jr who has been an outspoken opponent of vaccinations in children. Picture: Instagram

This story was originally published in the New York Post and is reprinted with permission.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/jessica-biel-has-clarified-claims-she-doesnt-believe-in-children-having-vaccinations/news-story/d431e0aee7cccf380fd1f3f2edb1d42c