Marc Bernier, Conservative Radio Host Who Called Himself ‘Mr. Anti-Vax,’ Dies From COVID-19

Marc Bernier, a conservative radio host from Florida and an outspoken critic of vaccine and mask mandates, died on Saturday following a month-long battle with COVID-19. Bernier, 65, often called himself “Mr. Anti-vax” on his radio.

In a statement posted on Twitter, WNDB, the radio station that Bernier “informed and entertained listeners” for over 30 years, confirmed his death.

“It’s with great sadness that WNDB and Southern Stone Communications announce the passing of Marc Bernier, who informed and entertained listeners on WNDB for over 30 years. We kindly ask that privacy is given to Marc’s family during this time of grief,” the radio station tweeted. 

Months before Bernier died, he vowed during his radio show that he would never get the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Are you kidding me? Mr. Anti-Vax? Jeepers,” he said back in December.

In his last tweet in July, he compared the federal government to Nazis for asking people to get vaccinated.

“Should say, ‘Now the U.S. Government is acting like Nazis. Get the shot!'” Bernier tweeted in response to state Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried‘s Twitter post encouraging people to get vaccinated.

Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially granted full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in adults. “Those who have been waiting for full approval should go get your shot now,” President Joe Biden said during a White House press conference following the FDA’s decision.

The COVID-19 cases in Florida have been quickly surging in the last couple of months due to the Delta variant and low vaccination rate in the state. Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent 200 ventilators and 100 nasal breathing machines to Florida after an urgent request from the hospitals. The state currently is reporting an average of 20,000 new cases per day.