Pooja Bedi, who last appeared in Netflix’s Masaba Masaba, has drawn criticism from netizens for spreading misinformation after she announced in a video message on Sunday that she has tested positive for Covid-19 and in the caption wrote that she “chose to stay unvaccinated”.
Bedi wrote, “I have finally been diagnosed as covid positive. I chose/choose to stay unvaccinated as it’s my personal decision to allow my own natural immunity and alternative healing and wellness practices to accelerate my healing. You do what’s right for you. Each to their own.”
In the video shared on Sunday, Bedi said, “I know I have been vocal about not taking the vaccine. For me, it was a choice that I took. I know that my immunity will naturally rise up and I want to rely on my natural immunity. Each one of you, go make your own choices, this is my chronicled journey.”
While many wished her a speedy recovery, she received flak from some social media users for not getting vaccinated.
“Why are you advertising this practice of not getting the vaccine? It’s so irresponsible on your part!” wrote an Instagram user while replying to Bedi’s post.
A Twitter user meanwhile wrote, “Everyone: Let’s getting vaccinated, the vaccine is free. Pooja Bedi: I won’t get vaccination until I get corona, then I will post my stupidity on intent to fool less educated people who see me. Because I can get the best hospital anytime but they cant. It’s my choice.”
“A person of large following is openly advertising not taking Covid vaccine and happy about contracting Covid on social media, will she be held responsible for people trying to follow her and generating a third wave??” tweeted another netizen.
The actor was earlier in the year heavily criticised for her anti-vax and anti-mask tweets.
In August Bedi tweeted “If 99 percent survive Covid with or without the vaccine the government needs to focus on isolating, vaccinating and masking those who have comorbidities and are in the risk bracket. Not vaccinate the whole world and certainly not discriminate against the unvaccinated! It’s illogical and sinister!”
The Covishield vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, has been approved and emergency use listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Covaxin, developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech showed a 81% efficacy in Phase 3 clinical trial.
Apart from Bedi, Nicki Minaj, Jessica Biel, and Leticia Wright are among some other popular celebrities who have been called out for spreading misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine in the past.
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To learn more about vaccines, visit the CDC’s website.