Following backlash, Anwar Hadid has explained why he told a fan he will 'absolutely not' be taking the coronavirus vaccine. The model - who suffers from Lyme disease - denied being an 'anti-vaxxer', but said that he wants to consider the 'positive and possible negative effects' of the vaccine. The statement follows comments where Anwar claimed that he wouldn't want his body to fight Covid-19 'unnaturally',
'I'm not "anti-vax" I think everyone has to be careful with each vaccine individually looking at positive and possible negative effects,' the 21-year-old said on his Instagram story. 'I have taken vaccines before but as someone who has had a compromised immune system, I want to continue to learn about the many ways I can protect myself and others. Never meant to offend anyone with my words, and I am so grateful for all the frontline workers and doctors and the powerful work they have done during this time.'
Anwar added: 'I'm listening and I'm all about the conversation, my response was not to make a stance it was honestly just a thought, but I can't expect you all 2 [sic] know where my heart and head is at and that's where I went wrong.'
When a fan asked 'why are you anti-vax?', he previously replied on his Instagram stories: 'Either I just don't get it or I get it and god willing heal from it and get antibodies rather than do that process unnaturally, our bodies are made by the creator to do way more than we think.'
His comments had previously caused uproar on Twitter, with one user tweeting: 'Anwar Hadid saying he would rather get covid than get the actual vaccine as if he doesn’t have a life-threatening disease.' Another said: 'Wow f**k off Anwar Hadid with your anti-vax/anti-Covid vax view. "Either you get it and god willingly heal" wtf??? All these people are DYING or have DIED from this virus you idiot. Good luck with that one.'
Brother to models Bella and Gigi, Anwar is the youngest Hadid sibling. He was diagnosed with Lyme disease in early 2012. His mother, Yolanda, and his sister, Bella, have been open in the past about suffering from the disease. Bella, 24, has previously said symptoms she struggles with include headaches, brain fog, sensitivity to light and noise, thyroid dysfunction, inflammation, joint pain and numbness. According to the NHS, Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks and is usually easier to treat if it is diagnosed early.
READ MORE: Lyme Disease Explained: What It Is, What The Symptoms Are And What Treatment Is Available
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