MSG confirms support of covid vaccines

Friday 01 March 2024

The MSG had distanced itself from the views of one of its consultant, saying that it does not share his opinions on covid-19 vaccines.

Earlier this month, Dr Dean Patterson - a cardiologist at the Medical Specialist Group - wrote a letter to the General Medical Council (GMC).

In it, he called for an investigation into the safety of covid vaccines, and offered his support to another cardiologist who has been criticised for his stance on the matter.

In response to an article published yesterday by Express, Dr Steve Evans, MSG Chair, said: "It is very unfortunate that public confidence in the safety of the Covid vaccine is being undermined yet again in this way.

"Our position at the MSG remains that Dr Patterson’s views on this issue are not shared by his medical colleagues.

"There are significant factual errors in Dr Patterson’s letter which we are asking him to correct.

"We fully support the approach of Public Health which has always been and continues to be soundly based on evidence and best practice."

Express asked the MSG to clarify what the "significant factual errors in Dr Patterson's letter" are. The MSG declined to comment further.

Pictured: Dr Steve Evans, MSG Chair.

Dr Patterson's letter was published online by Dr Aseem Malhotra, who - having received the first covid-19 vaccine himself - has since questioned the safety of it.

He has described how his father suffered a heart condition which he believes was accelerated by the covid-19 vaccine. This has seen him labelled an anti-vaxxer by some others, which Dr Patterson says is unfair.

Both men have called for an investigation into the safety of vaccines issued during and since the covid-19 pandemic. 

In his letter to the GMC, Dr Patterson asked it to action the following points: 

1. A working group to investigate the Covid 19 vaccine safety. May I suggest you speak with Dr Yvonne Young from the UKHSA and Dr Melissa Heighten (UCL) to invite their views on this matter? I am part of a growing group of doctors who would like to be part of this investigation, as I am sure Dr Malhotra would be.
2. A helpline to support doctors afraid of speaking out.
3. A helpline to support those who are vaccine injured. Clearly the GMC should seek support from the MHRA and UK gov with funding for this work.
4. A panel should be established to open discussion and reporting the above strategy in the media, in a calm unbiased manner to avoid undue stress on the general population and the healthcare system.

In response to Dr Patterson's letter, Dr Malhotra has described his medical colleague as "a leading consultant cardiologist in Guernsey and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians".

READ MORE...

Guernsey cardiologist renews calls for covid vaccine inquiry

GALLERY: Hundreds attend alternative covid discussion

MSG doctor wants "more discussion about unintended harms" of island's response to covid

LETTER: "Clear and imminent danger of our freedoms and values" 

MSG: "Dr Patterson's views are not shared by his medical colleagues"