The GDF should not make vaccination mandatory for prospective employees

Jun 01, 2021 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

The COVID-19 vaccine isn’t mandatory in Guyana, but is required by the Guyana Defence Force’s prospective employees. We are seeking for the Minister of Health and other relevant authorities to look into this controversial decision made by the Guyana Defence Force.
The purpose of the COVID-19 vaccine is clearly understood, but it was also made clear by Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, in numerous press briefings that “the ministry is satisfied with the turnout for the COVID-19 vaccination drives, therefore, we see no need at this point in time to make the vaccine mandatory.” It has recently become a requirement for all prospective employees of the Guyana Defence Force to be vaccinated before they can advance in the recruitment process.
Efforts were made to acquire further information from the Guyana Defence Force but responses were futile. When asked if it’s mandatory to be vaccinated before moving forward, the response was “yes I’d think so.” Other responses received when asked if the prospects would be withdrawn from the programme if they refused to get vaccinated were “we won’t be able to say” and “we don’t know we’re just following the instructions given.” It is quite shocking to have a decision as such being made by this prestige organisation since it is a clear human rights violation as evident in Article 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states, “Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.”
The Guyana Defence Force is being asked to kindly revise its decision for the sake of us exercising our rights freely. If this cannot be done, then the prospective employees that are required to take the vaccine before advancing should be provided with documentation stating that they are required by the Guyana Defence Force to be vaccinated. For a period (an amount of months) immediately after being vaccinated, the Guyana Defence Force should be held accountable in case that the effects of the vaccine prove to be life threatening.

Sincerely,
Alana A. Nadir

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