Caribbean Leaders looking to mandate the COVID-19 Vaccine
Several Caribbean countries have taken an authoritarian approach to their COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. There is a desperate drive to mandate that all citizens be vaccinated.
Jamaica: A Jamaican corporate firm, Caledonia Outdoor Limited gave its employees 14 days to take the COVID-19 vaccine or resign.
The memo dated April 12, 2021, stated “The company is, therefore, mandating that all members of staff be vaccinated within the next 14 days. Persons with a medical condition and [who] are not able to get the vaccine [are] asked to provide a letter from their doctor. Persons who refused to be vaccinated will be asked to resign.”
The memo signed by the company’s director was withdrawn after it was realized that the country had insufficient vaccines to cater to the entire country.
A strong warning was sent to Jamaican employers that they could find themselves on the wrong side of the law if they enforce dismissal of any employee who refuses to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
St. Kitts & Nevis: The government of St. Kitts and Nevis has created mass hysteria by propositioning local businesses to mandate that employees be vaccinated. Deadlines were given to several employees from various businesses of when they should be vaccinated and if they refuse, they will be forced to take regular COVID-19 tests every 2-3 weeks at their own expense.
Prime Minister of the Federation, Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris stated in his weekly talk show, Leadership Matters that he is currently in consultation with lawyers to determine how it can be legally mandated for citizens to take the COVID-19 vaccine. He also encouraged businesses to enforce stipulations for their workers to be vaccinated.
The Caribbean Alert has been made aware of several government ministries, public and private businesses within the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis who have mandated that their employees be vaccinated and if they refuse the vaccine, they will have to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test every 2-3 weeks at their own expense. The COVID-19 vaccine is currently US$100 or EC$270. Low-income earners, who made a minimum of $360 per week, have no other option than to succumb to the pressure and accept the vaccination regardless of what health complications may result.
Grenada: The government of Grenada has taken somewhat of a different approach with its citizens. Hon. Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, in a recent address to the public stated “no one can force you to take the vaccine, no one. I will not support any law that compels people to vaccinate…that’s a human responsibility, protect yourself.” He added that “his urge is to vaccinate because that is the way that we can get back to business as usual.”
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Prior to the volcanic eruption, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves told teachers that ahead of school reopening that they should have a government-approved COVID-19 vaccination or a negative covid-19 test or they would be asked to leave the compound. He further added that if teachers refused to be vaccinated, they would be required to take the covid test every 2 weeks at their own expense.
Although neighbouring islands of Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, and St. Lucia have opted to lend support to the citizens and residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, they are only accepting those who have already taken the COVID-19 vaccine. Even the cruise ships that have been docked at the ports to evacuate persons have placed a mandate that only those who have been vaccinated will be allowed to board.
Anguilla: The government of Anguilla has also threatened to implement laws to mandate that citizens be vaccinated. Citizens have combatted this stance by creating a petition against the government to not implement laws on Anguilla to make vaccination mandatory for workers or any other class of persons within our society.
The Caribbean region is dependent on the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine which is the only vaccine available to the region. This particular vaccine has had numerous reports from reputable health professionals and health organizations internationally of potential adverse effects on the human body such as deadly blood clots. A total of 18 major developed countries such as Sweden, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, among others, have discontinued and banned the use of this vaccine. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is scientifically proven to be on the lower end of the spectrum for effectiveness as compared to other vaccines.
There has been a region-wide outcry against this mandate that several Caribbean countries have taken which is an infringement on the human rights of its citizens, it is illegal and inhumane.
Liz Myke
Reporter
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