MINISTER Simon Harris has hit out at anti-vaxxers for spreading misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine.
The Fine Gael minister claimed that their "downright lies" about the safety of the jabs were ultimately going to get people killed.
Speaking on RTE's Today with Claire Byrne on Monday, Mr Harris stressed that he had no time for pseudoscience or anti-vaxxers, saying that there was a "huge difference" between those who may be vaccine hesistant and anti-vaxxers.
"I'm glad you've given me the opportunity to differentiate," he said.
"So people who'll go around and spread misinformation, disinformation and downright lies on the internet, I have no time for them.
"I've watched how their actions have cost lives in this country with the HPV vaccine.
"However, it's absolutely understandable that people will have questions. This vaccine has come into being really, really quickly, and I think people are going to want to know how did that happen, how will it work, is it safe for me and my family?
"And I think they'll want to hear from experts, they'll want to hear from doctors.
"It's really, really important that the health service steps up, as I know it will, and answers questions, provides information.
"And all I will say to people respectfully listening to this programme is just get your information from a doctor or a scientist.
"That's where I'll get the information for my family's health and I think it's where you should get yours."
The Government is due to publish its vaccination rollout plan this afternoon, which will reveal the details and the logistics of how the Covid-19 vaccine will be administered when one eventually arrives in Ireland.
