Chechen Minister for Public Health invites anti-vaxxers to speak on TV

Suleiman Lorsanov, Chechen Minister for Public Health, has called on opponents of polio vaccination to come out on TV with evidence that vaccinations are harmful to children’s health. In their comments on the social media, some users noted that it was inappropriate to bring such a question to the public, while other users called the refusal to be vaccinated a personal choice of each person.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that in January 2017, the authorities of Chechnya recognized the problem of mass refusals of people to vaccinate their children. The number of refusals to vaccinate the children has risen since on January 23, 2017, in the republic, WhatsApp* users disseminated an appeal by nurse Kameta Djautkhanova, who spoke about cases of serious complications after vaccinations. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov personally met Kameta Djautkhanova, and during the meeting, the woman retracted her words.

The Chechen Minister for Public Health supported the Ramzan Kadyrov’s call not to believe the rumours about chipping during vaccination and to vaccinate the children.

“Refusing vaccinations is not a crime. It is the right of everyone,” user pa_tishka___ commented on the news on Instagram*.

“Each person has their own choice, let them make whoever wants. And whoever doesn’t want to, leave them alone,” user ____nohcho_______ urged the others.

The “Caucasian Knot” has also reported that residents of Chechnya have repeatedly complained about being forced to get vaccinated. In July 2021, sources reported that residents of the republic were being forced to get vaccinated against coronavirus by threats of car evacuation, denial of medical care, or issuance of personal documents.