Government is not forcing anyone to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
This was made clear yesterday by Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic shortly after the arrival of more than 33 000 AstraZeneca vaccines under the COVAX (COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access) programme, at Grantley Adams International Airport.
He said while health authorities were strongly encouraging Barbadians to get the jab, it was solely up to them to do so.
His comments came against the background of a petition-signing event last weekend at Haggatt Hall, St Michael, in which social activist Winston Clarke claimed some employers were intimidating workers to take the vaccine. More than 1 500 have so far signed the petition which is addressed to the House of Assembly.
Bostic told the media: “From the Ministry of Health And Wellness’ perspective, we encourage strongly every single Barbadian and resident in Barbados to take the vaccine, but the Government has maintained its position that it would not have a mandatory situation in relation to taking the vaccine.” (SB)
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