EDITORIAL: More information needed on COVID-19 vaccine
IT has been suggested that a detailed education programme is needed on the COVID-19 vaccine, before it is presented to the Barbadian public.
The suggestion has come from Chairman of Committees, Dr. Sonia Browne, who stated, “It is OK to tell the Barbadian public to take the vaccine, don’t mind the rumours, it is for your own good, but we have to spend a lot of time on education. It cannot be only governmental policy. We have to co-ordinate well with the players, the medical professionals, so that we have an educational system in place before we bring the information to the public.”
Dr. Browne, who is a family physician, went on to state that there are people that have real fears about the vaccination process, that need to be addressed. She also stressed that it is not as simple as making the taking of the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory when it becomes available for citizens, as a lot more is involved. She therefore stressed, “Let us take the vaccine a little more seriously than just saying it is coming, you have to take it. Barbadians are smart. We did not educate them for no good reason. They are smart and they just need the information and I believe most people will be on board.”
That said, it has been noted that more work has to be done to dispel myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine and as such, health officials may have an extremely difficult time trying to convince their populations of the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. The suggestion came this time from Karen Josiah, Head of the School of Nursing at The UWI Five Islands Campus, as she delivered a presentation recently, during the Vice-Chancellor’s Forum on the COVID-19 Vaccination.
Josiah stressed that whilst the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that vaccines have saved two to three million lives each year from vaccine preventable diseases and all vaccine programmes have improved the health of populations by reducing the transmission of diseases, disability and infant mortality, several myths have emerged surrounding vaccines. She said health officials must therefore reveal the scientific evidence and not hide any information, whether the side effects are good or bad.
She stressed that officials have to be very convincing and truthful in letting the public know exactly what is happening, because the moment the public senses there is financial gain or any other benefits other than the health and safety of people, that becomes a problem. Giving ethically and truthful information is very essential, she noted, since this will help to build trust and then compliance where these vaccines are concerned.
Now indeed, we need to hear more about the COVID-19 vaccine and for sure, some educational campaign will be needed before a vaccination process can simply be rolled out in Barbados. There are many who question the quickness of the process for the COVID-19 vaccine and hence, they have concerns about its safety and effectiveness. Whilst experts do note that those who have adverse reactions may be in the minority, the public will still be calling for answers about what they are due to receive in their bodies and hence, the relevant officials must do the necessary and present the necessary information required.