Metallica's James Hetfield Says He's "Skeptical" About Getting a COVID Vaccine

"I hope it doesn't come to a point where you have to have that COVID stamp in your passport or something"

Photo: Adam Wills

BY Brock ThiessenPublished May 7, 2021

In news that's sure to infuriate health experts everywhere, Metallica leader James Hetfield has come out saying that he's "a little skeptical" and "not totally sure" about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Apparently, though, he has similar feelings about all vaccines.

Hetfield made his comments in a recent interview with the podcast The Fierce Life. During the talk, Hetfield was asked about the prospect of Metallica doing some touring soon, and courtesy of a transcript by Blabbermouth, here's how he responded:

I have no clue. It's not up to me. It really is up to the safety of everyone — not just the fans, but the crew and us. I'm not sure what that means in the future as far as vaccines. I'm a little skeptical of getting the vaccine, but it seems to be rolling out and people are getting it and I've got lots of friends that have done it.

Hetfield then went on to say the following:

I'm not totally sure about it. But I hope it doesn't come to a point where you have to have that COVID stamp in your passport or something to go everywhere. But if it comes down to that, then I'll make a decision then. We got vaccinated to go to Africa, so it's not like I've never been vaccinated before. But as a kid, I never got vaccinations 'cause of our religion [Christian Science]. So that was the only time I got one — when we were going on safari in Africa.

So by the sounds of things, Hetfield is by no means keen on the idea of getting vaccinated, but if push comes to shove, he'd get the jab.

After all, Metallica do sound like they may have a new album to support soon. Also during the interview, he spoke about the follow-up to 2016's Hardwired… To Self-Destruct.

"We wrote quite a few songs," he said. "So we'll see how many we like first, and then we'll put 'em out. We're pretty selfish that way."

Listen to Hetfield on The Fierce Life podcast below.

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