Anthony Mundine responds to controversial anti-vax tweet

Anthony Mundine has responded to the backlash from his recent Twitter comments against parents vaccinating their children, admitting he was “fired up”.

Outspoken boxer Anthony Mundine has responded to backlash after he urged parents not to vaccinate their children in a sensation social media outburst.

After sharing his controversial views over Twitter yesterday, Mundine explained he was “probably too fired up” when he framed vaccinations programs an act of bullying by the Australian Government, but refused to back down.

“I was probably too fired up when I posted that first post,” he tweeted this afternoon.

“All parents ultimately want what is best for their kids. Like I said in my last post, do your own research. When there is risk, there must always be choice.”

Mundine went on to say he was “all for informed consent and freedom of choice” when it came to “all medical procedures”.

The controversial Australian athlete yesterday shocked fans and followers when he shared his anti-vax views publicly for the first time.

A lot of talk bout this vaccine stuff ! All I’m saying is research & check what they giving you or ya baby ! When they start mixing it like a cocktail that’s where it’s going wrong ! That’s my opinion & other people have the right to there’s !

— Anthony Mundine (@Anthony_Mundine) April 10, 2019

I probably was too fired up when I posted that first post. All parents ultimately want what is best for their kids! Like I said in my last post, do your own research! Where there is risk, there must always be... https://t.co/Ek4SUQfAcT

— Anthony Mundine (@Anthony_Mundine) April 11, 2019

“Don’t vaccine your kids period! The government bully you into vaccine! Do your research on the s**t & watched the documentary vaxxed,” the former NRL star and boxing champion tweeted.

Mundine then pointed to his Facebook page where he posted a link to a video from New York radio show The Breakfast Club where the hosts claimed there was an “agenda” set by pharmaceutical companies against African-Americans.

Aussie Paralympian Kurt Fearnley led the charge against the 43-year-old, saying “you can’t make this s*** up”.

The Australian Academy of Science responded to Mundine’s latest comments with a link to a video titled “Immunisation saves lives”.

The non profit organisation said they aimed to support people to make good health decisions based on science.

Prominent indigenous activist and academic Marcia Langton also hit back. Professor Langton holds the Foundation Chair in Australian Indigenous Studies at the Melbourne University Faculty of Medicine.

“The science is in. Everyone must be vaccinated. Measles can kill and cause lifetime disabilities,” she wrote.

Mundine has once again courted controversy.

Prominent indigenous activist and academic Marcia Langton also hit back. Prof Langton holds the Foundation Chair in Australian Indigenous Studies at the Melbourne University Faculty of Medicine.

“The science is in. Everyone must be vaccinated. Measles can kill and cause lifetime disabilities,” she wrote.

The comments come a month after a study found no link between autism and the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine.

Anti-vaxxers have long claimed the MMR vaccine can cause autism, but researchers who studied more than half-a-million babies born in Denmark over 11 years found there is absolutely no association in a study released in March.

The Federal Government has launched a national television advertising blitz to counter the misinformation spread by anti-vaccination campaigners, and it committed in February an extra $12 million over the next three years to reinforce the health benefits of the nation’s immunisation program.

this is a very stupid tweet. Pull your head in.

— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) April 10, 2019