NRL star says he “won’t be bullied into a flu shot” by Scott Morrison
<p>Gold Coast NRL player Bryce Cartwright has maintained firm in his stance to not get a flu shot despite pressure from the Prime Minister Scott Morrison who has called for a “no jab, no play” approach to be adopted.</p>
<p>ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys is bound to enter talks with the RLPA to encourage players to agree to vaccination after Cartwright said he would not be “bullied into getting a flu shot” – a move that polarised the rugby league community.</p>
<p>Getting the flu shot is part of NRL's strict biosecurity protocols in order to restart the competition next month following the coronavirus shutdown, however Cartwright has flatly refused.</p>
<p>It prompted even Morrison to weigh in, saying the NRL should enforce a "no jab, no play" policy that would make sure players who refused to receive the flu shot would not be allowed to play.</p>
<p>Cartwright has continued to fiercely defend his decision however and claims it would be “coercion” if he was forced to get a jab against his wishes.</p>
<p>The star further claims he is not the only player in the NRL who refuses vaccination.</p>
<p>The Titans player says his decision to not want a flu shot has been leaked to the media, which has sparked "anti-vaxxer" backlash.</p>
<p>"I won't be bullied into making decisions that could impact my health and the health of my family," he posted on social media.</p>
<p>"The flu shot is not mandatory in the NRL at the moment.</p>
<p>"Giving us the ultimatum of getting the shot or be stood down is coercion and leaking private medical information is illegal.</p>
<p>"As for me being the first and apparently only one declining the shot is b******t and far from the truth."</p>
<p>Cartwright's wife Shanelle also spoken outright about her husband’s decision to refuse vaccination and on Wednesday wrote: "the proof is in the pudding, our kids are a picture of health".</p>
<blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zChNMBVcZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12">
<div style="padding: 16px;">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
<div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_zChNMBVcZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by S H A N E L L E (@shanellept_)</a> on May 5, 2020 at 12:17am PDT</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>But Cartwright said he was not an anti-vaxxer.</p>
<p>"Not once have I said I am anti-vaccinations," he said.</p>
<p>"I have never told anyone what they should or shouldn't do in regard to vaccinations.</p>
<p>"I stand for the freedom to choose who goes into our bodies..so to label me an 'anti-vaxxer' is spreading misinformation."</p>
<p>The star added: "I know people in my industry with vaccine injured children and the herd NEVER stuck around for them.</p>
<p>"These are our bodies and we decide what goes in them."</p>
<p>Cartwright has signed a vaccination waiver in order to train with the Titans but must explain his actions to NRL chief medical officer Paul Bloomfield.</p>
<p>An NRL spokesperson has said that any player refusing the shot would have to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis amid consultation with club and NRL medical staff.</p>
