The Offspring drummer booted from band because he won’t get Covid-19 vaccine: ‘It has been decided I am unsafe to be around’

Pete Parada will no longer tour or record with The Offspring (Picture: Mauricio Santana/Getty Images)

The Offspring drummer Pete Parada has claimed he has been booted from the band because he will not get the Covid-19 vaccine.

The band is set to embark on a major tour this September, with dates across the States before the Pretty Fly (For a White Guy) stars come to the UK and Ireland in November.

However, Parada will not be with them, as he has claimed he has been deemed ‘unsafe’ to tour or record with The Offspring as he has decided not to get vaccinated.

The 48-year-old explained on Instagram that he and his doctor had made the decision not to get the jab due to prior experiences of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a serious condition which affects the nerves.

The CDC states that in most cases, anyone who has previously suffered from GBS may receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and the NHS states that you are far more likely to get GBS from an infection than the vaccine designed to prevent the infection.

Parada wrote: ‘Given my personal medical history and the side-effect profile of these jabs, my doctor has advised me not to get a shot at this time. I caught the virus over a year ago, it was mild for me – so I am confident I’d be able to handle it again, but I’m not so certain I’d survive another post-vaccination round of Guillain-Barré syndrome, which dates back to my childhood and has evolved to be progressively worse over my lifetime. Unfortunately for me (and my family – who is hoping to keep me around a bit longer) the risks far outweigh the benefits.

‘Since I am unable to comply with what is increasingly becoming an industry mandate – it has recently been decided that I am unsafe to be around, in the studio, and on tour. I mention this because you won’t be seeing me at these upcoming shows. I also want to share my story so that anyone else experiencing the agony and isolation of getting left behind right now – knows they’re not entirely alone.’

The drummer went on to say he has ‘no negative feelings’ towards his bandmates, writing: ‘They’re doing what they believe is best for them, while I am doing the same. Wishing the entire Offspring family all the best as they get back at it! I’m heartbroken not to be seeing my road community, and I will miss connecting with the fans more than I can express in words.’

Parada then showed his support for those who are anti-vaccine for other reasons, writing: ‘While my reason for not getting this jab is medical, I want to make sure I’m not carving out a space that is only big enough for me. I need to state, unequivocally, that I support informed consent – which necessitates choice unburdened by coercion. I do not find it ethical or wise to allow those with the most power (government, corporations, organisations, employers) to dictate medical procedures to those with the least power.

Parada has been part of the band since 2009 (Picture: CraSH/imageSPACE/Sipa USA)

‘There are countless folks (like me) for whom these shots carry a greater risk than the virus. Most of of us don’t publicly share a private decision we made in careful consideration with our doctors. We know it’s not an easy conversation to unfold. If it looks like half the population is having a shockingly different reaction to these jabs than was expected – it’s probably because their life experiences have actually been shockingly different, and their reasons range from a conscientious risk/benefit analysis, to the financial inability to take time off work/lack of healthcare in the event of potential side-effects, to an understandable distrust in a system that has never prioritised the health or wellbeing of their communities.

‘I hope we can learn to make room for all the perspectives and fears that are happening currently. Let’s avoid the unfortunate tendency to dominate, dehumanise and shout down at each other. The hesitant population is not a monolithic group. All voices deserve to be heard.’

Parada did not say whether his removal from the band was permanent, but said he would be launching a new project and releasing music with his daughter.

The band is embarking on tour in September (Picture: Jason Squires/Getty Images)

Parada’s fans applauded his decision and voiced their outrage in the comments, while posts on The Offspring’s official Instagram have been flooded with comments accusing them of discrimination and ‘selling out’.

Parada replaced drummer Atom Williard in 2009, and was the band’s second longest drummer.

More: Coronavirus

Dexter Holland and Kevin ‘Noodles’ Wasserman are now the only two original members left in the band following bassist Greg K’s departure in 2019; Todd Morse replaced him.

A replacement for Parada has yet to be announced.

Metro.co.uk has contacted The Offspring’s rep for comment.

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