Political row erupts over vaccinations after councillor's comments

A senior Labour councillor attacked a Green member for telling a public health meeting he was not vaccinated, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

Green councillor Aziz Yildiz (left) and Labour councillor Alev Cazimoglu (right)

A “personal and professional attack” on the vaccination views of a Green councillor has fuelled yet another political row at Enfield Civic Centre.

Earlier this week, Enfield Labour released a statement claiming that, during a meeting of the local authority’s healthy and safe communities scrutiny panel on Monday (12th), Green councillor Aziz Yildiz told members that he does not get vaccinated.

In the statement, Alev Cazimoglu, Labour’s adult social care spokesperson, criticised Cllr Yildiz, who owns a community pharmacy.

She said that it was “deeply irresponsible” for any councillor, but especially one who runs a pharmacy, “to say they are not vaccinated”.

However, Cllr Yildiz has since responded to clarify that he is not against vaccinations and that he has lodged a conduct complaint against Cllr Cazimoglu over her public accusations.

Cllr Cazimoglu’s written criticisms were followed by a video posted to Facebook by Enfield Labour. In the video, Cllr Cazimoglu reiterated her claim that Cllr Yildiz “doesn’t personally take vaccines”.

In the post, which at the time of reporting (Friday 16th) has over 2,500 views, the Labour member for Jubilee ward says: “Everyone has the right to make their own healthcare choices – but vaccines aren’t just about protecting yourself.

“They help protect babies, vulnerable people and those who can’t be vaccinated.”

Addressing Cllr Yildiz, who has no direct role in healthcare matters at the local authority, she said: “When you’re responsible for promoting public health your words matter.

“Personal choice is one thing. Protecting the wider community is another.”

In the video, Cllr Cazimoglu refers to a measles outbreak this year which has affected areas of North London, including Enfield.

NHS chiefs say the spread of the infection has been worsened by the relatively low uptake of the measles vaccine, which is proven to protect individuals and communities from the disease.

With this context in mind, Cllr Cazimoglu called on Enfield Greens “to come clean on their vaccine policy”, adding: “This is completely unacceptable.”

In an initial response shared with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) on Wednesday (14th), Cllr Yildiz clarified that he is “not anti-vaccination”.

Yesterday (Thursday 15th) the Green ward member for Ponders End issued further comments after seeing Cllr Cazimoglu’s video.

He called the post an inaccurate “personal and professional attack” and announced that he had lodged a complaint with the local authority regarding the Labour member’s conduct.

Cllr Yildiz said that Cllr Cazimoglu, who served as cabinet member for health and social care in the previous Labour administration, “should understand the importance of accurate public health communication”.

“Presenting me as an anti-vaccine healthcare professional risks creating confusion and undermining the public trust that vaccination uptake depends on. She should know better,” the Green councillor added.

Explaining his views on vaccination, Cllr Yildiz said: “Vaccines save lives. I own a community pharmacy, administer vaccinations and actively support NHS vaccination programmes.

“My personal vaccination choices do not mean I oppose vaccination.”

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