NEED TO KNOW
- Liam Neeson narrates the new documentary, Plague of Corruption, which expresses skepticism toward vaccines and includes discredited science
- A representative for Neeson released a statement stressing that the actor “never has been, and is not, anti-vaccination”
- Neeson has previously advocated for vaccines, saying that conversation about them in recent years has “lost sight of how much good they have done”
Liam Neeson is defending himself against speculation that he is against vaccinations.
On Friday, Dec. 12, the Naked Gun star clarified his stance on vaccines after being tied to the controversial documentary, Plague of Corruption: 80 Years of Pharmaceutical Corruption Exposed. The 73-year-old narrates the new documentary, which expresses skepticism toward vaccines and includes discredited science.
In a statement to PEOPLE, a representative for Neeson stressed that he has “never been” anti-vaccination.
“We all recognize that corruption can exist within the pharmaceutical industry, but that should never be conflated with opposition to vaccines,” the representative said. “Liam never has been, and is not, anti-vaccination. His extensive work with UNICEF underscores his long-held support for global immunization and public-health initiatives. He did not shape the film’s editorial content, and any questions about its claims or messaging should be directed to the producers.”
The documentary is based on the 2021 book of the same name, co-authored by Judy Mikovits, a discredited former scientist who espoused disinformation and encouraged people not to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and Kent Heckenlively, who previously referred to himself as the “world’s #1 anti-vaxxer.”
In the narration by Neeson, he reportedly states that those on the pro-vaccine side have demanded “unconditional submission to our public institutions” and “science has become dangerously politicised,” the Guardian reports.
Additionally, the film reportedly features an interview with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and praises President Donald Trump. Both men have spread debunked theories and shared misinformation about the safety of vaccines and supported the removal of long-standing vaccine mandates.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In response to Neeson’s involvement in the documentary, Heckenlively posted on X last month saying, “Liam Neeson for the win. Aslan is on our side!”
Despite the controversy, in the past, Neeson has advocated for vaccines in his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
In 2022, the Taken actor said, “Vaccines are a remarkable human success story. Over the last 75 years, billions of children have been vaccinated, thanks to scientists, to health workers, to volunteers. If you’ve ever been vaccinated, or vaccinated your children, then you are part of the arm-to-arm chain that keeps all humanity safe.”
“The conversation about vaccines in recent years has lost sight of how much good they have done for each of us,” he continued. “We need to celebrate this. It is perhaps one of the biggest collective achievements in human history.”
Read the full article here
