Dear Editor,

I AM pleading with the unvaccinated to please get yourself vaccinated. Educators and older students err in not taking the vaccine. They put themselves and others at health risk.

Vaccination offers some form of protection against the deadly COVID-19 disease. Even if you had COVID-19 before, take the vaccine as it boosts immunity against severe effects of a recurrence; illness will be shorter than usual and milder if one were to contract the infection. It certainly protects against death from re-infection.

Studies have shown that among those who have been infected with COVID-19, 98 per cent are unvaccinated. Of those who died from COVID, less than one per cent were not vaccinated. Almost every COVID victim in Guyana was not vaccinated. My mother was infected by COVID by her aide. She was unvaccinated and died. Her aide did not want to take the vaccine and she got COVID and in the process infected my healthy mother. I carry the burden of not personally fetching my mother to the vaccination site to get inoculated.

The vaccine works. As infectious disease researchers conclude, COVID-19 vaccines remain safe and effective. They prevent severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. I got my double dose and am looking for a third booster jab for further protection.

The pope, Anglican Church leaders, and heads of other faiths, and so many other religious figures are urging the public to get vaccinated. It is not un-Godly to be vaccinated. In being vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself, but your family and loved ones, friends, neighbours and co-workers. It is your civic responsibility to get vaccinated to help protect the nation against the deadly COVID-19 disease.

Yours sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram