Culture
04 Aug 21

Pete Parada exits pop-punk band The Offspring after declining Covid-19 vaccine

He wrote on Instagram that he's "unable to comply with what is increasingly becoming an industry mandate".

The Offspring drummer Pete Parada will no longer be joining the California pop-punk band onstage or in the studio after turning down the Covid-19 vaccine due to its potential side effects.

Citing medical advice for not taking the vaccine, the musician claims to have been infected with the Covid virus a year ago and is concerned about Guillain-Barré syndrome. Since childhood, the musician has experienced the illness, which sees the person's immune system damage their nerves.

For him, the risks of having a Covid vaccine "far outweigh the benefits", he said. "But I'm not so certain I'd survive another post-vaccination round of Guillain-Barré syndrome."

The condition has been listed as a very rare side-effect of the Janssen vaccine, while there has been a warning about a reported connection to the AstraZeneca vaccine - although that has not been confirmed.

The Offspring are due to start a US tour on August 8th, and have not responded to his comments. Parada joined the group in 2007, but his current absence may not be a permanent fixture.

In a post on Instagram, he said: “Since I am unable to comply with what is increasingly becoming an industry mandate, it has recently been decided that I am unsafe to be around, in the studio, and on tour... you won’t be seeing me at these upcoming shows. I also want to share my story so that anyone else experiencing the agony and isolation of getting left behind right now knows they’re not entirely alone.”

His "personal medical history and the side-effect profile of these jabs” was the dominant part of his decision, with Parada commenting that he supports informed consent when it comes to healthcare.

"I have no negative feelings towards my band. They’re doing what they believe is best for them, while I am doing the same,” he added.

“There are countless folks (like me) for whom these shots carry a greater risk than the virus...I need to state, unequivocally, that I support informed consent – which necessitates choice unburdened by coercion. I do not find it ethical or wise to allow those with the most power (government, corporations, organisations, employers) to dictate medical procedures to those with the least power.”

The Offspring's hits include 'Self Esteem' and 'Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)', and their latest album reached No.3 in the UK this April.

On Tuesday, New York became the first major US city to require proof of vaccination for people attending concerts and other indoor venues. On the same day, The Met Gala and Sundance Film Festival both said they would require attendees to have had the Covid vaccine.

Meanwhile, in Ireland, Stradbally festival Electric Picnic would only proceed for vaccinated concertgoers.

Read Parada's full Instagram statement below: