Actress Jessica Biel clarifies stance on vaccinations after backlash
Actress Jessica Biel insists she’s not against vaccinations after she raised concerns when she met with anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about a new bill that would limit medical exemptions in California.
Kennedy shared a photo as they headed to California’s capitol to lobby against the bill.
The Sacramento Bee reports the bill would require the state’s Department of Public Health to create a uniform document for doctors to administer an exemption. Public health officials would then review and sign off on the doctor’s judgment, according to national guidelines. The department also would put the physician’s name, license number and reasons for issuing the exemption into a database.
People immediately took to social media to drag Biel about her decision to meet with Kennedy and lobby against the bill, categorizing her with famous anti-vaccine celebrities like Jenny McCarthy.
Biel and her husband, singer Justin Timberlake, are parents to son, Silas.
After the backlash Biel posted on Instagram where she said, “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 said in the post the reason she was lobbying against the bill is because she has a friend with a children who needs a medical exemption and the bill would affect their family.
“That’s why I spoke to legislators and argued against this bill,” she said. “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.”
Some people still weren’t convinced, though.
@JessicaBiel is against #VaccinateYourKids well I know I will not support anything by someone so ignorant- sorry my child doesn’t have #rich privilege & won’t be able to avoid the unvaccinated children
— Jillian (@CloverJewel) June 13, 2019
I am so disappointed to hear about @JessicaBiel being anti-vaxx. I wish celebrities would educate themselves appropriately before using their platform to spread this misinformation. Take infectious disease/pharmacology courses and read primary literature about these issues. ?
— Casey (@DoctorKC17) June 13, 2019
Literally no one is surprised that Jessica Biel is an anti-vaxxer
— Alex Herrington (@alexisnotafish) June 13, 2019
Have a great day everyone!! .....except you @JessicaBiel , how dare you?!
— Sofía Martínez Villalpando (@sofiabiologista) June 13, 2019
Sorry @JessicaBiel you’re #cancelled. If you’re not part of the solution you’re a part of the problem. ?? #jessicabielcancelled https://t.co/25IbiUcn0O
— Paige Walker (@paigewalker89) June 13, 2019
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