Dear Editor,

I took issue with the Jamaica Observer editorial of March 9, 2021, ‘Vaccination passports and Dr Tufton’s cry of desperation’. It is unfair to put the blame solely on Dr Christopher Tufton’s shoulders. We know our citizens aren’t the most compliant or disciplined when it comes to rules, restrictions or a lockdown, especially when so many have to hustle to survive. We know we have to learn to live with the virus for a long time and we need vaccines quickly, but the fact is First World countries, having more resources, are naturally prioritising their citizens.

In China, where the virus first surfaced more than a year ago, they have more or less returned to a life of normalcy due to the discipline of its citizens and the way rules are enforced. China also has the technology to make its own vaccines, and even so vaccinations have been progressing slowly.

Over 100 million have already been vaccinated in USA with their first shot, over 20 million in UK and over two million in Canada.

In Jamaica we must have a blend of measures, enforcing protocols and lockdowns where necessary. I believe we have been too lax at the airports, where Jamaicans, especially, have been leaving and returning and not adhering to quarantine rules.

There is one way out of this pandemic and its through mass vaccination. While some sceptics continue to spread doubt and fears about COVID-19 vaccines in the media, we are seeing medical doctors, nurses, dentists supporting the initiative, and taking their shots.

Former prime ministers Bruce Golding and P J Patterson got their first vaccines among those in the first round. Patterson went on to say, “Don’t pay any attention to the propaganda, conspiracy theories…and all this rubbish.” More public figures need to support the initiative as more vaccines become available. The USA and other countries have been vaccinating at a rapid pace and, until most of their population is vaccinated, there won’t be much supplies left for other countries like Jamaica. This is not Dr Tufton’s fault.

Neighbouring islands have been receiving some supplies, but nothing major to make a difference in their population. We hope by June/July Jamaica will be well on its way with more supplies. If we are to return to a life of normalcy as quickly as possible we have to rely on science, data, and facts, and allow the experts to do their work. Some experts have been working in their fields for decades. Respect them! Speculation and rumours won’t end a pandemic, it will only make things worse. It is also irresponsible when we use the media to promote unfounded fears.

Indeed, vaccination passports are now being considered by many countries to revamp global travel which took a major hit over the past year. We cannot have these passports without an effective mass vaccination strategy. And, we shouldn’t have to beg people or pay people to get vaccinated. We should not need to spend millions on an advertising campaign either, considering we are all living through the trauma, disruption, and stress caused by the pandemic. With multiple variants emerging causing the virus to spread more rapidly, vaccination becomes even more critical.

Individuals need to assess the risks and decide which risk is potentially worse, getting the vaccine or the virus.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com