Gold Coast forward Bryce Cartwright defends his right to decline flu vaccination

Drew Darbyshire 06 May 2020 2:04 PM

Gold Coast Titans has defended his decision to say no to a flu vaccination.

The 25-year-old has not had an injection despite it being part of safety protocols for all players and staff ahead of the NRL restart on May 28.

Cartwright has signed a waiver form clearing the club and the NRL of liability if he gets sick and participated in training with the Titans on Wednesday.

He tweeted: “Not once have I said I am anti-vaccinations. I’ve never claimed to be a doctor or a medical professional and I have never told anyone what they should or shouldn’t do in regards to vaccinations.

“I stand for the freedom to choose what goes into our bodies, I am pro-choice, pro-informed consent and pro-medical freedom.

“I have nothing against people who choose to vaccinate, so to label me an ‘anti-vaxxer’ is spreading misinformation.

“The flu shot is mandatory in the NRL at the moment. Players have been offered a waiver to sign if we don’t want it. Giving us the ultimatum of get the shot or be stood down is coercion, and leaking private medical information… Well that’s illegal.

“As for me being the first and apparently only one declining the shot is b******t and far from the truth. These are our bodies and we decide what goes in them.

“I know people in my industry with vaccine injured children and the herd never stuck around for them. I won’t be bullied into making decisions that could impact my health and the health of my family. Thank you for all the messages to those standing in solidarity, I see you.”

pic.twitter.com/tTIcGZ9ypK

— Bryce Cartwright (@BryceCartwright) May 6, 2020

Watch NRL and live stream every NRL game to keep up with how Tom Burgess, John Bateman, Ryan Sutton, Elliott Whitehead, James Graham, George Williams and all the others are getting on Down Under.

Watch our Last Tackle podcast, featuring a guest, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on YouTube.

Listen to The Final Hooter podcast, featuring exclusive interviews, every week. SUBSCRIBE to Love Rugby League on Apple Podcasts.