Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam referred to pregnant women as "pregnant people" when tweeting about the flu on Tuesday.
"Pregnant people and children under 5 are at higher risk of complications from the #flu," said Tam in her tweet. "Keep everyone safe. Get the #flushot."
Pregnant people and children under 5 are at higher risk of complications from the #flu. Keep everyone safe. Get the #flushot. Check for vaccine availability near you. #influenzahttps://t.co/XXtT3BC0H1 pic.twitter.com/VEaNKEoMFB
— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) January 5, 2021
Tam said people should check for flu vaccine availability near them.
Her tweet linked to a webpage that advised people about what they can do to stop the spread of the flu and COVID-19.
The Public Health Agency of Canada said "pregnant people" should receive a flu vaccine because during pregnancy, the body goes through changes that can affect the immune system, heart, and lungs. These changes make it tougher to fight off infections.
"Pregnant people" who receive the flu shot can pass on protection to their baby. These flu shots are important because babies younger than six months old cannot be vaccinated against the flu.
Canadian Women's Sex-Based Rights, a Canadian volunteer organization advocating for sex-based rights for women, condemned Tam for the tweet.
"It's pregnant women," said Canadian Women's Sex-Based Rights. "Stop erasing women."
It's pregnant women. Stop erasing women.
— Canadian Women's Sex-Based Rights - caWsbar ?? (@cawsbar) January 5, 2021
Zlatina Tileva, a Twitter user, said Tam's tweet did not make sense.
"Pregnant people?" said Tileva "No. Not all people can get pregnant."
Pregnant people? No.
— Zlatina ? (@ZlatinaTileva) January 6, 2021
Not all people can get pregnant.
Pregnant women. Yes.
We see the programming and it’s not working.
Tam appears to have no problem saying men on Twitter. She tweeted about Men's Health Week in June.
Good news: 70% of men’s health conditions are preventable. This #MensHealthWeek, start making small lifestyle changes – like getting more exercise and reducing alcohol consumption – to make an impactful change to your health.
— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) June 19, 2020
Tips to get active: https://t.co/FVykbjNviF pic.twitter.com/eEOcZS52KS
She said it was important to have conversations about men's health in November.
Though #COVID19 means we may have to show support for #Movember differently this year, there’s no wrong way to start the conversation on the importance of men’s health. Learn more:https://t.co/yzW8Z49dzb pic.twitter.com/PPHHJviADp
— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) November 12, 2020
This tweet is one of a collection of comical ones Tam has made in the last few months. She tweeted in September that people should wear masks when having sex with people outside of their households.
1/3 #COVID19 key concerns in ??: Today, in lieu of a daily in-person update to the media, I have issued a Wednesday statement on sexual health during COVID-19, an important part of our overall health and wellbeing. Read in full here: https://t.co/4OMbXChJcI
— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) September 2, 2020
She encouraged Canadian musicians to tweet about public health messages to gain more followers in December.
1/2 @justinbieber, @Drake and @ShawnMendes if you start sharing public health messages you could increase your followers too. I’m a doctor, not a popstar?!
— Dr. Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) December 8, 2020
Thanks to all who have followed this account for the latest on public health and #COVID19.https://t.co/gsmqL2i4xw
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy