Drummer Pete Parada dropped from The Offspring for not getting COVID-19 vaccine

Pete Parada has announced that he has been dropped from The Offspring for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

As well as not being able to tour with the band, the drummer says he's also been told that he's "unsafe to be around, in the studio". It's not clear yet whether this is just a temporary hiatus, though Pete says he is "in the midst of launching a project and releasing some music with my daughter" and trying to find "a new way forward".

Detailing his medical reasoning for opting not to get the vaccine, he explains, "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.”

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He also stresses that, despite them seemingly being on different pages with regards to the coronavirus jab, "I have no negative feelings towards my band. 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."

Read Pete's full statement below. At the time of writing, The Offspring are yet to publicly comment on the situation.

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