St. Kitts and Nevis is hoping to join Grenada on it’s recent decision to make the Covid-19 vaccine mandatory as citizens refuse inoculations.
While some have labeled it a draconian move, Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, Honorable Timothy Harris said they will soon create a mandate for vaccinations.
“We need every employer not just to say, but to insist that every employee must be vaccinated! This is where it’s going to come for the protection of your business, for the protection of the peace and the health for those who are vaccinated. Employers including the Government, will have to give consideration to that.”
“My Government has sought the advice of constitutional experts in relation to this particular matter, and there’s is a balance. But ultimately we are confident that our Health Act does provide for the compulsory vaccination of persons. o we are getting further legal advice as to how we will move and how quickly,” Prime Minister Harris continued.
Despite what seems to be the new wave across the region, the BVI government has confirmed to our newsroom that they have no intentions to make the vaccines mandatory.
This was relayed today by Minister of Health, Honorable Carvin Malone who said that the Government’s focus is on educating the populace about the benefits of vaccine while leaving the choice to individuals.
Honorable Malone said “we followed the science from the start and will continue. We must now educate and have folks conduct their research and choose.”
When questioned by our newsroom on whether the BVI’s Health Act includes or will be amended to include compulsory immunization, the Minister responded “no, we have no intention. You have free will to choose.”
Some Hoteliers in the BVI have already began embracing a pro-vaccine approach for employees.
Director of Operations at Virgin Gorda Villas, Sharon Flax-Brutus said “it’s our intention and my belief that hospitality workers should be vaccinated. Our guests are now expecting this.”
As a result the company has already issued an ad to recruit only vaccinated professionals.
Mrs. Flax-Brutus continued “vaccination protects us and protects our guests and by extension our livelihood. This is the balance!”
The BVI Government and local health officials have maintained that once the majority are immunized, the territory can return to some semblance of normalcy in it’s social and economic life.
DOES MANDATORY VACCINATION VIOLATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT?
Opponents of compulsory vaccination argue that the practice violates due process, free exercise of religion, the right to attend school, equal protection and statutes forbidding non-consensual medical experimentation. Others raise moral or philosophical objections, or refuse vaccinations because they believe vaccinations are unsafe.
Whether the decree is constitutional is still not clear, and many commentators believe that future legal cases regarding vaccination are likely.
Many experts worldwide have also said the “no jab, no job” policy presents many ethical issues and is a direct breach of persons’ rights.
BVI RESIDENTS STILL RELUCTANT TO TAKE THE VACCINE
Though cases continue to rise in the BVI, there is still a high level of reluctance from residents to take the vaccine. BVIslanders are showing up in the lowest numbers.
Of the 34,000 AstraZeneca shots received from the UK & Dominica, an average of 8,500 have been administered so far.
Concerned that the vaccines may expire before being administered to the wider population, Health Minister, Honorable Malone said “given the global position of availability of vaccines, it is critical to use what we have and not allow for any spoilage as at some point there will be a shortage of vaccines which will impact our efforts, our safety, our economy, our schools, and our livelihood. The first shipment of the vaccine has a shelf life of early May; the second shipment’s shelf life is early June and the third early July.”