A senior health expert from south-western Sydney has urged younger residents to ignore social media commentary on COVID-19 vaccines and get the jab.
Dr Ahmad Alrubaie, a gastroenterologist at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, spoke during this morning's state update as a "representative of our communities in west and south-west Sydney".
He said incorrect commentary about the vaccine covered "every single aspect", including its production and administration.
LIVE: NSW records 1116 new cases, four deaths linked to virus
has urged younger people to ignore social media commentary about COVID-19 vaccines.
NSW today recorded 1116 cases of COVID-19 and four more deaths.
Dr Alrubaie said he was concerned misinformation, shared on social media and through messaging services, was continuing to affect the vaccine rollout, especially among younger people.
"Don't listen to any social media," he said.
"Don't listen to any YouTube. Don't listen to any WhatsApp networking among you guys.
"The only reliable source and trust the source is the information from the health authorities from health professionals."
Dr Alrubaie said the overwhelming evidence from the more than five billion vaccinations administered around the world showed they were safe.
"We still have some people hesitant about getting the vaccination. To those people I say COVID-19 vaccinations are safe and effective," Dr Alrubaie said.
"This is not only our experience here in Australia. It's the experience of the world and all developed countries."
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"They are effective in reducing the chances of catching the virus. They are even more importantly, effective in preventing the serious forms of the disease," he said.
"They are effective in keeping you away from hospitals, intensive care units and from death. By vaccination, you protect not only yourself but your kids, your family, your friends and your contact."
Dr Alrubaie said he was disturbed about the number of COVID-19 patients aged under 40 who were in intensive care.
"Long COVID can have a bad impact on your learning and study and this can continue even after the full recovery from the disease," he said.
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