NEIL Oliver has said that he will not allow his children to get the Covid vaccine on his GB News show after it was announced that 16 and 17-year-olds are to be offered a jag.
Earlier this week, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that the vaccine rollout should be extended to anyone aged 16 or over.
The Scottish Government then announced yesterday (August 7) that appointments for the age group can be booked this weekend and a full rollout will be in place across the country from Tuesday.
READ MORE: Neil Oliver's deluded self-involvement is shocking, let alone broadcasting it
Oliver, a GB News host, said that he and his wife will not allow their children to get vaccinated against Covid-19 "while we have breath with which to say no".
In the monologue, part of Oliver's GB News show, Neil Olver Live, he went onto say that it seems to him and "to many experts" that the threat from the vaccine to teenagers is "greater than the threat from the virus".
He then conceded that is how he understands "what I have read and [been] told by the Government's experts from the beginning".
The presenter then compared efforts to stem the spread of the virus to war, saying: "Essentially for me, it all boils down to one question.
"Do I want to stand behind a wall of shields borne by children? My answer is no I don't. For me, there is no war into which I would enlist children, not for any reason.
"In my understanding of parenthood, indeed, of adulthood, the children stand behind us safe from potential harm for as long as possible, in the centre of a circle made of adults facing outwards. Adults, for whom the most precious gift on Earth is the privilege, the honour and privilege to stand between those children, and any possible danger.
"Children can be brave, are often braver than adults. But this fight should not be theirs."
His rant on GB News comes after last week's monologue when he said that he would "cheerfully risk catching Covid" for the "sake of freedom".
In that monologue, he referenced the Battle of Britain when RAF planes defended against attacks from Nazi forces during the Second World War.
He then suggested that "there is another Battle of Britain" being fought against those choosing not to take the Covid vaccine and suggested the coronavirus lockdown was like "tyranny".
READ MORE: Neil Oliver panned after saying he'd 'cheerfully risk catching Covid for freedom'
From Tuesday, August 10 all drop-in clinics that offer the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine will open to 16 and 17-year-olds.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf (below) said: “I would urge all eligible young people to take up the offer of vaccination. You can find out where your nearest drop-in clinics are by visiting NHS Inform which will direct you to the latest information from your local health board – or through your local board’s social media channels.
READ MORE: Scotland's Covid vaccine roll-out to 16 and 17-year-olds to begin this weekend
“Our route out of this pandemic is getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, that is why I am urging young people to take up the offer of the vaccine by dropping into a clinic or by booking an appointment.”
At present, children over the age of 12 are only eligible for a vaccine if they have certain medical conditions which put them at risk from Covid-19 or teenagers who live with people who are immunocompromised.
It is understood that government officials are not ruling out vaccinations for otherwise healthy 12 to 15-year-olds but want to look at more information first.
In making its decision, the JCVI said that a number of factors have been considered but the most important element was the benefit of vaccination to the individual compared to any risks.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel