PARENTS have a duty to ensure that their children are protected against all forms of illnesses and disease. This is why it is mandatory for parents to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated, from the time of birth, against certain diseases which could be fatal if the protocols are not fully adhered to.

The Ministry of Health has implemented a number of measures to ensure that children are given the recommended vaccines at scheduled times and at recommended doses. Among the mandatory childhood vaccines are those that protect from measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rabies, hepatitis, rotavirus, tuberculosis among several others.

Indeed, parents and guardians are required to provide proof that their children are vaccinated as a prior condition for admission to nursery and primary schools. This, it must be said, is done without any form of hesitancy on the part of parents or guardians.

One of the main reasons for such compliance is that as parents we want the best for our children, both from the standpoint of our children’s health and their education. We trust the judgement of our policymakers and our technical officials that whatever they do in in the best interest of our children.

Why then, one is tempted to ask, are there so much hesitancy and scepticism over the administration of the COVID-19 vaccines in general and to adolescent school children in particular by some in our society? Could there be some ulterior motive driven by considerations other than that of the best interest of our children?

Whatever the explanation, it is not rational and certainly not in the best interest of our children. All the evidence indicate that vaccines are the most effective way to guard against the COVID-19 virus, and even though it is not made mandatory,  many governments are putting measures in place to safeguard the population against the spread of the virus.

As pointed out by Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, we are not, as it were, out of the woods when it comes to infection rates. In fact, there has been a recent surge in COVID-19 infections, hospitalisations and deaths which must be of concern to all. According to the Health Minister, the numbers are climbing and the country is experiencing more cases of preventable infections. This situation, if not properly managed, could get out of control and the system overwhelmed, a worrying situation indeed.

The fact is that there is a surge of the Delta variant in other parts of the world and we cannot leave anything to chance. This is why we have to aggressively pursue the vaccination of our young people who are especially vulnerable to the spread of Delta variant.

Thankfully, the response by parents and guardians to the vaccination of school children has been encouraging. This is a welcome development. In fact the Public Health (School Children) Immunisation Act of 1974 provides for the immunisation of persons seeking entry into schools and daycare centres against certain communicable diseases which, according to the Health Minister will provide legislative cover in the administration of the adolescent vaccination programme.

The battle is on in the fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. This requires the support and collaboration of all Guyanese. Regrettably there are some, who instead of being part of the solution have, for reasons best known to themselves, opted to be part of the problem. This is indeed sad. One can only hope that better sense will prevail and we will all sing from the same hymn book as we seek to bring to an end to this deadly pandemic.

Like it or not, we have to be guided by science. And the scientific evidence so far has proven that the vaccines are safe for both adults and children. Data showed that children and particularly adolescents can play a significant part in COVID-19 transmission. It is possible that newer variants could emerge which can be minimised by herd immunity involving the entire population.