Renowned baker Dame Mary Berryhas said she’s not going to get involved in discussing Donald Trump following his controversial claims about vaccines, but clarified “I will have all my vaccinations” after battling polio as a child. Earlier this year, Trump made an unproven claim about a link between autism and the use of vaccines and parcetamol, something which has since been disproven by global health bodies and experts.
However, given Trump’s influence, even a claim with no basis in fact can quickly gain traction and have an impact. Following Trump’s claims about vaccines, health experts and politicians around the world jumped in to dismiss it. Appearing on ITV, Labour’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this. I’ve just got to be really clear about this: there is no evidence to link the use of paracetamol by pregnant women to autism in their children. None.
“So I would just say to people watching: don’t pay any attention whatsoever to what Donald Trump says about medicine. In fact, don’t take even take my word for it, as a politician – listen to British doctors, British scientists, the [National Health Service].”
Speaking about her views on vaccines, former Bake Off judge Mary, 90, told the Radio Times Magazine: “I am totally aware of what he [Donald Trump] said. I am not getting involved, but I will have all my vaccinations that are offered to me, definitely.”
Mary, who left Bake Off in 2016, has spoken frankly about having polio when she was just 13-years-old, leading to a lengthy stay in hospital. In a 2013 autobiography, Mary remembered the experience and the impact it had on her and her family.
She said: “I just couldn’t understand why Mum wasn’t coming in to give me a cuddle, to talk to me and comfort me. It must have been terribly upsetting for them.”
However, the damage went beyond Dame Mary’s parents not being able to cuddle her, with polio causing her spine to twist and leaving her with a weaker and thinner arm and hand. Despite what happened to her, Mary says she was fortunate.
She says: “I only had it on my left side and I’ve got a funny left hand. Everybody thinks I’ve got arthritis.
“I look a bit funny when I’m rolling pastry but I have no other difficulties whatsoever. I mean, I’m not as good at sport as I was, but I was let off very lightly. I’m grateful.”
The polio vaccine was introduced in the UK in the 1950s and is part of what the NHS describes as the “routine childhood vaccination schedule”.
Mary’s endorsement of getting her annual jabs comes after the NHS urged parents to get their children vaccinated against flu this half term, as doctors warned about rising cases.
In a statement about the matter, chief nursing officer for England Duncan Barton said that it was concerning that flu had arrived early, and especially worrying that it was increasing among children who could potentially give it to their older relatives.
He said: “It is hugely concerning that flu has hit us early this year, with a worrying increase among children. Flu can spread like wildfire across schools and can make children really unwell.
“The virus changes each year, so vaccination remains the best way to shield your child from getting seriously ill That’s why we’re making it easier than ever before for children to get the vaccine close to home or at school.”
Meanwhile, health minister Stephen Kinnock has reinforced the importance of adults getting the jab to protect themselves and others. He said: “Vaccination is the best defence — I’ve just had the flu vaccination myself because I know what a difference it can make.”
Mary Berry is due to return to the UK’s screens in episode one of ‘Mary at 90: A Lifetime of Cooking’ this evening at 7.30pm on BBC Two.
