Following a protest against restrictive COVID-19 measures and quasi-mandatory vaccinations in Valletta last weekend, Agius Galea hit out at people who refuse to get vaccinated out of choice.

“Let’s say I accept that they have the right to choose. Do my doctor colleagues and myself have a right to choose not to see unvaccinated patients who have COVID-like symptoms?”

“Do I have a right to worry that people who capriciously get infected with COVID-19 because they haven’t been vaccinated can endanger the health of the few who haven’t got vaccinated for medical reasons?”

“Do I have a right to go out with my children, who are still too young to be vaccinated, without worrying that they might get exposed to the virus? Do I have a right to wish my children won’t have to wear a mask because they’re protected as a result of the rest of us getting vaccinated? I hope I have a right to wish that rigid measures aren’t imposed on our young children once school starts?”

The doctor’s post received massive traction on social media, receiving almost 8,000 reactions and over 1,000 shares. 

Agius Galea has now clarified that he has no intention of refusing to see unvaccinated patients.

“Unfortunately some people cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons. I know some of them personally, some are even my patients, friends, or colleagues, and others made contact with me recently to express their concerns.”  

“Just because I’m protected, I cannot be an egoist and not think about these cases; as a doctor, I have an obligation to protect them.”

“I make it clear that people have a right not to get vaccinated, even after they have been properly informed, but as a doctor I disagree with this. My advice to anyone who harbours doubts is to discuss it with their doctor – as a doctor, my door is always open to everyone and the health of patients will come before everything.”

“I am committed to seeing our country overcome this challenge as quickly as possible. We were the first European country to achieve herd immunity and we now have an obligation to keep striving to protect our health so that people who have yet to be vaccinated for whatever reason will still be protected.”