Party leaders need to quickly depoliticize vaccines, B.C. doctor says [Video]

A leading infectious disease specialist says he’s worried about vaccines becoming politicized just as B.C. heads into its fall COVID and influenza immunization campaign.

Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, made the comments a day after the BC NDP released a video of BC Conservative Leader John Rustad saying he regretted taking the “so-called” COVID vaccine and claiming vaccine mandates were about “shaping opinion and control on the population.”

The comments were recorded in a June meeting with a group called BC Public Service Employees for Freedom.

“We need to quickly depoliticize the whole issue of vaccination, and I think the two of them together, (BC NDP Leader David) Eby, Mr. Rustad have a unique opportunity to do that,” Conway said.

“I would challenge him to get out there and as soon as this year’s flu shots and COVID shots are available to go and get them, go and get them on camera maybe next …