The Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Foster Rogers, has once again called on persons in Anguilla to come forward to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus by taking the AstraZeneca vaccine.
More particularly, this week, in the Government’s Press Conference on Monday, March 8th, Mr. Rogers made a strong appeal to young people between the ages of 18 and 34 to take advantage of the free vaccine which arrived on the island on Wednesday, February 3rd , and which has continued to be administered to individuals since Friday, February 5th.
“Last Friday made exactly four weeks since we started vaccinations,” the PS noted. “We want to thank those persons who have been vaccinated, so far, for coming forward. However, we are somewhat concerned about the group of persons between the ages of 18 to 34. This is the age group which we are going to be placing a lot of emphasis on, now. We want to ensure that these persons have the correct information to make the appropriate decision in order to protect their health and revive the economy. We know that this age group is very internet and social-media savvy, and there is much bad information on social-media, out there, which can sway them from making the right decision as regards their vaccination.”
“Yes, people in that age group are dying from the virus too,” he cautioned. “And no, you will certainly not be impacted with infertility by taking the vaccine. I realise that there is quite a bit of concern in the young women of this group who think that the vaccine will cause them to become infertile. And there are also young men who fear that they would become impotent by being inoculated with the vaccine. We have been trying to dispel these fears and rumours for the past month, and I would like to reiterate the message even more, now. There is absolutely no need to fear such effects from the vaccine. We are going to be targeting this group now, more than ever, through social media as well as through direct intervention, beginning in the sixth form of the high school. We will also be reaching out to this younger populace through churches and at other social events.”
The PS observed: “As mentioned last week, the majority of persons who have taken the vaccine so far is age 50 and over. This is the most vulnerable group, but we need to have the younger segment of our population fully covered as well. Certainly, you younger people are the future of our country, and we want to make sure that you are protected, not only while you are in Anguilla, but even as you may happen to travel.”
“Many of you, over-eighteens, would have to go off to school at some point in time,” he said. “It is wiser to obtain the vaccine while it is free of cost. You may even have older persons in your family at home whom you would want to protect. So, over the next week or so, we would be focusing on encouraging the 18 to 34-year-old age group to register for the vaccine.”
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
