Two longtime actors on the ABC daytime show “General Hospital” are no longer starring in the soap opera because they refused to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Actor Ingo Rademacher left the show in October, though last episode didn’t air until Monday, according to New York Times.
Steve Burton said in an Instagram video on Tuesday that he is also no longer part of the show.
“Unfortunately, ‘General Hospital’ let me go because vaccine mission,” said Burton, who filmed his final episode on October 27, the ABC’s vaccination order went into effect on November 1.
“I applied for medical and religious waivers, and both of those were denied — you know, heartbreaking,” he said. “But this is also personal freedom for me. I don’t think anyone should lose their livelihood because of this. “
“I will always be grateful for my time at ‘General Hospital,’” says Burton. “I believe that when one door closes, many doors open.
“” I’m excited to see what the future holds, and maybe one day if these missions are lifted, I can come back and finish my career as Jason Morgan. It would have been an honor, and if not, I would have taken advantage of this wonderful experience, moving forward and forever grateful. “
“I am forever grateful for your love and support,” he said.
Are the vaccine missions wrong?
Burton tested positive for Coronavirus in August and said he was exposed at work, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
He’s been on the show as Jason Morgan since 1991, though he moved on to another show for a couple of years from 2012 to 2017.
Rademacher also said he will not comply with the vaccine task.
“I will stand with you to fight for medical freedom,” he wrote in an Instagram post.
Rademacher played the character Jasper “Jax” Jacks on the show he was on in 1996, according to Diversity.
Fans, as always, have something to say.
How would you join a program called “General Hospital” and refuse to get vaccinated? https://t.co/WfS5tVnMMA
– Veronica McDonald🗣 (@ Purify_toast17) November 23, 2021
He stood up for his duty… he should have a NATURAL IMMUNE after Covid and they fired him anyway…. ‘General Hospitals’ star Steve Burton confirms vaccination mission layoff: It’s ‘about individual liberties’ – Fox News https://t.co/W2gH2qHWPh
– Deborah Kay (@Patriot_Heroes) November 24, 2021
He told General Hospital to let him go. I said he made a choice. Goodbye, Jason. #General Hospital #SteveBurton https://t.co/ms9TdbdLUm
– Sarah Derrick (@semderrick) November 23, 2021
Rademacher’s character says, “I’m out with everyone in Port Charles right now,” says Rademacher’s character, as he makes his way to Australia.
Also on Monday, Burton’s character was trapped in a tunnel collapse.
https://www.westernjournal.com/2-prominent-actors-cut-long-running-tv-show-vaccine-mandate/ 2 prominent actors were cut from the TV series because of the vaccination mission