Jennifer Aniston hits back at criticism over her decision to cut out anti-vax friends

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She recently revealed she has been cutting out friends from her life who have refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Now Jennifer Aniston is hitting back at backlash over her decision. 

Taking to her Instagram Stories, the actress, 52, addressed a commenter who was wondering why she was so concerned about being around her unvaccinated friends. 

‘But if she’s vaccinated she’s protected correct? Why be worried about unvaxxed around her? (shrugging emoji),’ wrote one commenter.

‘Because if you have the variant, you are still able to give it to me. I may get slightly sick but I will not be admitted to a hospital and or die. BUT I CAN give it to someone else who does not have the vaccine and whose health is compromised (or has a previous existing condition) – and therefore I would put their lives at risk. THAT is why I worry. We have to care about more than just ourselves here,’ Jennifer said.

The actress was obviously disheartened over the criticism she had received online over her revelation, first posting a photo of herself wearing a mask along with the message, ‘These comments (disappointed emoji).’

She also shared a funny cross stitch of the message, ‘What doesn’t kill you mutates and tries again.’

Jennifer revealed in the September issue of InStyle that she has been forced to cull friends from her circle who have ‘refused’ to get their COVID-19 vaccine.   

The Hollywood icon explained that she has no time for anti-vaxxers or those who ‘just don’t listen to the facts’ when it comes to science.

The Friends star said she feels the swath of American’s who aren’t getting their COVID jabs are basing their stance on ‘fear or propaganda.’ 

Aniston, who stars in AppleTV+’s The Morning Show as a news anchor, explained that she spent much of the pandemic keeping up with the news but at one point needed to take a break.

‘I’ve really had to stop [keeping it on too much],’ she said of watching CNN. ‘We all went through news fatigue, panic fatigue, during the pandemic because we were hoping one day we would wake up and hear something hopeful, and all we got was more insanity.’

She then touched on the group of anti-vaxxers, who have thus far refused to get their coronavirus vaccine. 

‘[There’s] still a large group of people who are anti-vaxxers or just don’t listen to the facts. It’s a real shame,’ Aniston said. ‘I’ve just lost a few people in my weekly routine who have refused or did not disclose [whether or not they had been vaccinated], and it was unfortunate.’

She added: ‘I feel it’s your moral and professional obligation to inform, since we’re not all podded up and being tested every single day. It’s tricky because everyone is entitled to their own opinion — but a lot of opinions don’t feel based in anything except fear or propaganda.’  

Unvaccinated Americans are most likely to be younger, male, black and living in a rural area, a DailyMail.com analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show.

While the White House announced Monday it had finally hit its target of delivering at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to 70 percent of the adult population, there is still a large segment of the population that has not been immunized, which is concerning as the Indian ‘Delta’ variant continues to spread.

The U.S. is currently facing a surge in COVID-19 cases with the highly contagious delta variant picking up steam all over the country.

According to CDC data, over 99.99% of those fully vaccinated have not suffered a breakthrough case (contracting COVID despite being immunized) that was severe enough to warrant hospitalization or death. The current surge in cases is being fueled primarily by the unvaccinated. 

Aniston received her second dose of the vaccine in May and took to Instagram to share the news with her followers and encourage them to help get shots in arms around the world.

‘Fully vaccinated and it feels soooo good,’ she penned a the time. ‘We are extremely lucky and privileged to have access to Covid-19 vaccines in the U.S. right now.’

‘Unfortunately, that’s not the case everywhere… and as we know, the health of one of us affects all of us,’ she continued. ‘Thinking about those who do not or will not have the opportunity to get vaccinated and hug their friends and family.’ 

During her interview with InStyle, Jennifer also discussed her appreciation for another A-list Jennifer: Jennifer Lopez. 

‘J.Lo. I want to know what gives her the look like she’s about to be seething. It’s amazing. She’s almost stuck getting mad at somebody, but she’s just so gorgeous,’ mused the blonde bombshell.

The Morning Show actress added: ‘She’s like, “I can’t believe I’m standing here.” But I don’t think she’s trying; she fell out of bed that way. She’s a performer.’

Aniston and Lopez have never worked together but do appear to be pals as they have been seen chatting at events. And they are the exact same age: 52.

As far as her own red carpet performance, Jennifer said: ‘It depends on your stylist, because they go, “Never do this! Always do this!” I’m like, “Well, that feels weird.” I don’t know how to stand on a red carpet, but you do the best you can.’

And making friends on the carpet is important too: ‘I also try to connect with those people holding cameras. Some of them I’ve known a long time, so I’ll say hello. If I’m having an honest interaction with someone, it makes it easier.’