Anti-vaxxers are 'nuts' says Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has labelled people who are opposed to vaccinations as "nuts".

During a conversation with NHS nurses about vaccinations for children during the coronavirus crisis, the prime minister was filmed saying "there’s all these anti-vaxxers now… they are nuts".

Anti-vaxxers are campaigners who - for various reasons - decide to not vaccinate their children.

Many people cite religious concerns or allergic reaction risks as reasons for blocking their children from vaccinations, but some others avoid them due to a mistrust of science.

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The prime minister was filmed discussing the MMR vaccine which some people falsely believe can cause autism.

The vaccine, which is used to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella, is considered safe and is widely used.

While avoidance of vaccines has been around for almost as long as vaccines have, the anti-vaccine movement became popular following a now-discredited study by British ex-physician Andrew Wakefield.

His 1998 study falsely claimed the link between the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and autism.

He was found to have falsified data and was struck-off the medical register for dishonesty.

His medical career was over in the UK but he has continued his campaign against vaccinations around the world, and even directed controversial documentary Vaxxed.