Latest update December 24th, 2024 4:09 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

It makes sense to support the vaccination of Guyana’s children

Jun 10, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

Yet again, I am forced to commend the Ministry of Health, for being at the forefront of health issues, especially in the area of COVID-19. I note that “…the Vaccination of children, 5 to 11, (is set) to commence on Saturday. And my hope is that the occasion will be maximised. The word is that “Immunisation of children, between the ages of five to 11, will commence on Saturday (this), following the arrival of 52,800 doses of COVID paediatric vaccine, from the Government of Spain.” It will undoubtedly be hard work for Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, and I hope that they will be well-supported and that parents and guardians will make the most of this opportunity. So, I will share a few comments, hoping to encourage our adults to be very careful with the health and well-being of our children.
First, we need to realise that childhood vaccines or immunisations can seem overwhelming for many new parents. But I remind them all that vaccine schedules are fully recommended and practised by agencies and organisations, all over the world, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) is right behind these kinds of activities. The reason is very simple and straightforward. It is that vaccinations not only protect children from deadly diseases, such as polio, tetanus, and diphtheria, but they also keep other children safe, by eliminating or greatly decreasing dangerous diseases that can be spread from child to child.
I add that the benefits of vaccination include less time away from school or activities, with positive impacts on the physical and mental health of the children. Vaccination is the way for children to get back to their activities, time with friends and family, and other things that they enjoy.
According to Dr. Anthony, “… from the 65,000 and counting persons who contracted the virus, about one-third were children. (and) As such, children are at risk if they do not take the COVID shots.” But, for this exercise planned for the weekend, parents need to give consent, if success will be reaped. As a given, the minister explained that “We cannot go and vaccinate a child without parental permission. When we start the vaccination process on Saturday at the tarmac of the [National] Cultural Centre, one of the things we would like is for parents to bring their children and give permission so that we can do the vaccination.” This kick-off, is successful, and hopefully it will be so, will help Guyana achieve the targets, set out by the World Health Organisation.
I doubt if anyone will refute that “One of the best ways of reducing COVID in Guyana (and the world at large) is to make sure that we get people vaccinated. The WHO has set certain targets in terms of vaccination and we are working to achieve those targets.” This is what Dr. Anthony rightly stated, and I am with him all the way.
In terms of schooling, I am glad that the Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, is also behind the drive to get the children into a safe zone. She pointed out that we can glean from basic figures that vaccination for the children is the way to go. She noted that by “Just looking on at the data, it says to us very clearly that vaccines work to prevent spread and serious illnesses … (and so) “To all the parents, vaccines will continue to be voluntary and we are not insisting that anyone take the vaccine, but we’re encouraging you strongly to pay attention to the data. One is less likely to get severely ill if they are inoculated against this disease.”
I close with a simple caveat that even though over the years, vaccines have indeed generated controversies over safety, there is no convincing evidence of harm being found. And although children can have a reaction to any vaccine, the important thing to know is that the benefits of vaccinations far outweigh the possible side effects.

Yours truly,
H. Singh

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Semi-Finals line up set for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup 2024

Semi-Finals line up set for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup 2024

Dec 24, 2024

Kaieteur Sports – The Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup 2024 has reached a pivotal stage as four teams have officially advanced to the semi-finals, continuing their quest for championship...
Read More
Young Warriors Cricket Club fulfills its annual hamper project, compliments of Ishwar Singh

Young Warriors Cricket Club fulfills its annual...

Dec 24, 2024

Chase’s Academic lift 2024 KFC Goodwill Int’l Title

Chase’s Academic lift 2024 KFC Goodwill Int’l...

Dec 24, 2024

Remaining teams in the inaugural K&S/One Guyana National Futsal Championship receive new kits

Remaining teams in the inaugural K&S/One...

Dec 24, 2024

Capital FC, Hi Stars, Silver Shattas win as Rockstone draw to reach quarterfinals

Capital FC, Hi Stars, Silver Shattas win as...

Dec 24, 2024

Renuka, Mandhana consign West Indies to record loss

Renuka, Mandhana consign West Indies to record...

Dec 23, 2024

Features/Columnists

  • This is our city

    Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The City of Georgetown is stink, dirty and disordered. It is littered with garbage, overwhelmed... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]