Sen. Johnson doubles down on vaccine claims, drawing criticism from medical community

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin's Republican Senator Ron Johnson is doubling down on a vaccine claim that experts say is misleading and inaccurate. 

In a telephone Town Hall Monday night, April 26, Sen. Johnson said that because vaccine efficacy is high, not everyone needs to get vaccinated.

"So you oughta feel pretty confident that even if you're around somebody with COVID, chances are you're pretty protected," he said. "So why would you care -- why would you want to force somebody who might have some misgivings from taking a vaccine? I just don't quite get that."

The left-leaning Committee to Protect Medicare, made up of practicing and retired physicians, held a news conference Monday night refuting some of Johnson's claims.

"Senator Johnson wants us to cross the lake in a leaky boat when the facts show that the more people get vaccinated, the fewer leaks we'll have so we can all get there safely," said Dr. Bob Freedland, of the committee.

In an interview with a Wisconsin radio station last week, Sen. Johnson said the coronavirus was not fully approved, among other erroneous claims. 

It has prompted backlash from many in the medical community.