Doctor faces tribunal over claims Covid-19 vaccine caused magnetic reactions
A former GP is facing a disciplinary tribunal for spreading misinformation regarding Covid-19 vaccines, including claims about magnetism and unproven treatments. The medical council alleges his public statements breached professional conduct standards.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing tension between medical professional ethics and the spread of health misinformation by licensed practitioners.
Matthew Shelton told the tribunal that suspected harm should trigger an immediate pause. Photo / 123RF
A doctor who appeared in interviews claiming the Covid-19 vaccine caused magnetic reactions is accused of breaching professional conduct.
Matthew Shelton – who is appearing before the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal in Wellington – was a GP and partner at Plimmerton Medical Centre until August 2021. His practising certificate lapsed in 2022.
The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) of the Medical Council claims Shelton breached professional conduct by making inaccurate and misleading statements about the Covid-19 vaccine in 2021 and 2022 – including that the vaccine caused magnetism, that ivermectin was a life-saving treatment for the virus, and his suspicions that vaccine deaths were being covered up.
But Shelton told the tribunal any sign of harm caused by “rushed” or new treatments should trigger an immediate pause on their use and be closely investigated.
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