EastEnders viewers were in hysterics after Karen Taylor's anti-vaxxer rant was expertly shut down.
In the scene from Monday night's episode, Patrick Trueman ( Rudolph Walker ) confirmed to shopkeeper Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) in the Minutemart that he had received his second dose of the Covid vaccine.
Meanwhile, Suki responded that she was now due to have her first dose later that day.
Patrick then noted: "Science is a wonderful thing, you know."
Karen Taylor ( Lorraine Stanley ) overheard the pair speaking and said: "Rather you than me."
Suki replied: "Oh, don't tell me - you're one of them anti-vaxxers."
"You must admit they pushed it through too quick," commented Karen. "Lab rats - that's what we are.
"Nah, I ain't having any of that rubbish pumped into me."
Patrick could be seen shaking his head disapprovingly as Karen made her remarks, before she ironically asked Suki at the counter: "20 of me fags...please."
Karen continued: "Dolly Parton - she can say what she likes. I mean, normally I'm with her all the way, but who knows what it's going to do to us in five, ten years' time?"
Patrick respond: "Well, let me tell you what I do know. Last year I was lying on a hospital bed gasping for breath.
"I thought it was all over. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
"Covid? Man, it'll kill you faster than them fags."
An unimpressed Suki added: "Some of the best scientists have worked on this, but you reckon you know better? How's that PhD working out for you, Karen?"
Karen said she would think about it noted she was younger than the pair, but Suki said she should worry about not getting to her age if she carried on thinking like that.
A shocked Karen then left with her purchases.
Suki concluded by saying to Patrick: "After everything we've been through this year, can't help some people."
Naturally, Enders fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the topical scene, with many amused at the exchange.
One EastEnders viewer tweeted: "Oh Karen you need to win me back with views like that and loved suki giving her a bit of helpful advice [laughing emojis] #Eastenders".
A different person penned: "Karen "I won't have any of that rubbish pumped into me. 20 fags please" #Eastenders ".
Meanwhile, one Twitter user wrote: "'Where's your PHD, Karen?' I love Suki what a queen #EastEnders x".
A tweet mirrored this, noting: "Karen “I won’t have the jab. Give me some fags.” [laughing emoji]".
Another viewer noted: "Watching #Eastenders for the first time in ages. Little bit of public service broadcasting in a scene in the corner shop just now with an anti-vaxxer (incidentally called “Karen”) being told why she should get the jab."
Elsewhere, another Enders fan noted: "Of course they had to go and make Karen an anti-vaxxer. Loved Patrick and Suki pushback! #EastEnders "
Finally, one EastEnders viewer concluded: "Karen and Patrick in this heated debate is such a British mood [laughing emoji] #EastEnders ".
*EastEnders continues on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One and is available on catch-up on BBC iPlayer.
What did you think of the vaccine discussion in EastEnders? Let us know in the comments below.
