AN IRISH GP has defended himself after he said he would not administer any Covid-19 vaccine to his patients.
Kildare GP Dr Gerard Waters of the Whitehorn Clinic in Celbridge appeared on RTÉ Radio One's Liveline this week following claims the doctor had stated his refusal to vaccinate patients.
Speaking on the show, Dr Waters confirmed that he would not be administering the vaccines when the time came-- and also said that he does not refer his patients for Covid-19 tests.
Describing himself as a "conscientious objector", Dr Waters said he disagreed with how quickly the vaccines had been developed and how it had been handled by authorities.
He went on to say that he would have no issue if his patients went on to receive the vaccine from somewhere else, but he would not put anything in his patient's arms that he would not put in his own.
One woman, Maureen Lawlor, who called into the show was herself a resident of Celbridge, and was appalled by Dr Waters' decision.
Ms Lawlor was speaking from a sheltered housing complex for older people, and said that for Dr Waters not to vaccinate people was "an appalling abuse of his position".
Local TD Réada Cronin released a statement on social media where she said she was "extremely concerned" to hear the news of a GP refusing to vaccinate his patients.
Extremely concerned to see that a GP in #Celbridge, North Kildare is reported as saying he will not be administering the #Covid19 vaccines.
Serious issues here for public health and for the relevant medical bodies. I will be following up on this matter with HSE.— Réada Cronin TD (@ReadaCronin) February 11, 2021
"Serious issues here for public health and for the relevant medical bodies," she said, adding that she would be following up with the HSE with regards to the matter.
HSE CEO Paul Reid later responded to the programme by saying he was "quite shocked" that a GP had vocally refused to administer vaccines, and confirmed that the health service would make "alternative arrangements" for patients of any other 'conscientious objectors'.
