Cardiologist Draws Outcry With Claim Tying Vaccines to Royals’ Cancer

A British cardiologist suggested without evidence on Saturday that Covid-19 vaccines might have been a factor in the cancer suffered by members of the British royal family, drawing swift condemnation from the government, health experts and cancer support groups.

The cardiologist, Dr. Aseem Malhotra, made the claim during a 20-minute speech at the annual conference of Reform U.K., the anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage — which distanced itself from his remarks after they provoked an outcry.

Speaking from the main stage at the party’s two-day event, Dr. Malhotra said on Saturday that he had been told by a professor of oncology that “he thinks it’s highly likely that the Covid vaccines have been a factor, a significant factor, in the cancer of members of the royal family.”

The British government quickly denounced the claim as dangerous to public health.

“When we are seeing falling numbers of parents getting their children vaccinated, and a resurgence of disease we had previously eradicated, it is shockingly irresponsible for Nigel Farage to give a platform to these poisonous lies,” the health secretary, Wes Streeting, said. “Farage should apologize and sever all ties with this dangerous extremism.”

Health charities also attacked the comments. “There is no good evidence of a link between the Covid-19 vaccine and cancer risk,” the group Cancer Research said. “The vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against the infection and prevent serious symptoms.”

Later on Saturday, Mr. Farage’s party distanced itself from Dr. Malhotra’s comments, without criticizing him directly.