Isabel Lucas cut from charity over anti-vax comments

·Features and Health Editor

16 April 2020 at 1:50 am·2-min read

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 23: Isabel Lucas attends the Australian Fashion Laureate 2019 at Cafe Sydney on October 23, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage) — Isabel Lucas has been dropped as charity ambassador over controversial comments. Photo: Getty

Former Home and Away star Isabel Lucas has been dropped as ambassador for the charity Plan International Australia, after posting controversial comments about coronavirus vaccines online.

The Aussie actress was only named as the ambassador for the charity, that champions equal rights for young girls, last month, but the organisation has since confirmed the ambassadorship has ended.

“We are aware of the issues and as of today, Ms Lucas and Plan International have come to a mutual agreement to end the ambassadorship,” a statement on the organisation’s official Twitter account read.

Thank you for your message. We are aware of the issues and as of today, Ms Lucas and Plan International have come to a mutual agreement to end the ambassadorship.
— Plan International Australia (@PlanAustralia) April 15, 2020

Isabel was first called out earlier in the week after saying she “didn't trust the path of vaccination” - the comment coming in response to an Instagram post by controversial TV chef Pete Evans.

“Freedom of choice is every humans right. I don’t trust the path of vaccination,” she wrote on Instagram.

Isabel lucas coronavirus vaccine comment — Isabel shared her 'concern' over coronavirus vaccines. Photo: Instagram

After parting ways with the charity, Isabel, who is a known anti-vaxxer, took to her Instagram account again to try and ‘clarify’ the ‘misunderstanding’.

“I have concerns around 'mandatory' vaccination, not vaccination itself,” she explained.

“Moving forward, I'd like to welcome and invite cohesive, clear and calm communication around 'mandatory' vaccines, ethical vaccine testing and how to support every human being to have the right to freedom of choice.”

Isabel joins a host of other stars that have faced backlash online for voicing controversial opinions during the current coronavirus crisis.

MAFS stars have found themselves being ridiculed online this week after a bizarre number appear to subscribe to unsubstantiated conspiracy theories around the introduction of 5G and coronavirus.

Former stars of the series including Hayley Vernon, Amanda Micallef, as well as Bachelor alumn Bill Goldsmith have promoted anti-5G content on their social media accounts, with some even linking the new internet connection to the coronavirus.

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