by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The COVID-19 virus has taken a heavy toll on the most tourist-dependent region in the world, and regional officials are not just struggling to source vaccines, but also to get people to take the jab when those vaccines become available.
The latest appeal for vaccination acceptance came in a message on Facebook from CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin Larocque.
UNESCO recently shared various messages to address vaccine hesitancy as well as the spread of disinformation and misinformation alongside COVID-19.
“All the COVID-19 vaccines have been thoroughly tested, and all provide a high degree of protection against getting seriously ill and dying from the disease. So take whatever vaccine you are offered, even if you have already had COVID-19. It is important to be vaccinated as soon as possible and not wait. This way, we build immunity in our communities faster and can get back to our normal lives.”
One of the messages also spoke to the need to continue the non-pharmaceutical measures even after being vaccinated.
“While the COVID-19 vaccine prevents serious illness and death, we don’t know yet whether it keeps you from being infected and passing the virus on to others. So continue to physically distance yourself from others and wear a mask, especially in enclosed, crowded, or poorly ventilated settings. Clean your hands frequently and cover any cough or sneeze into your bent elbow. Doing it all protects us all.”
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws echoed similar sentiments as she spoke to living day-to-day with COVID-19 under the current restrictions.
She made those remarks during the last press briefing hosted by the National Emergency Operations Center on June 21.
