The Jamaica Observer editorial board yesterday formally endorsed the COVID-19 vaccine, saying that it was the only solution on the immediate horizon to end the novel coronavirus pandemic and return life to normal.

The board’s full-throated endorsement of the vaccine is a first by the newspaper, which marked 28 years of existence earlier this month, and is in line with its original mandate from late founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart.

The development marks the journal’s concern that widespread doubts being sown by vaccine sceptics could jeopardise national efforts to adequately inoculate Jamaicans against a marauding virus that has claimed 2.7 million lives and sickened 123 million people globally, up to Observer press time.

The health authorities reported that as of yesterday, Jamaica had recorded just over 530 deaths and more than 35,300 cases of the novel coronavirus since last year March. Just over 16,000 patients have recovered. In the last fortnight alone, positive cases had topped 9,300.

“A year ago, the desire for a vaccine to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus was fervent,” today’s editorial titled ‘We enthusiastically endorse the COVID-19 vaccine’ said.

“Indeed, the prevailing view was that mass inoculation was the world’s greatest hope for a return to normality as economies and, most importantly, human existence, had started to buckle under the weight of COVID-19.

“Thanks to heavy and targeted funding, scientists have been able to develop vaccines that have been given emergency use approval by the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the health regulators in a number of countries.

“…So the anti-vaccine declarations making the rounds on social media and on the Internet are simply scare tactics designed to sway public opinion from the reality that vaccination is an effective way to prevent disease and save lives.”

Reiterating that immunisation has been a key component of primary health care for decades, the editorial board wrote: “There’s hardly a Jamaican parent who hasn’t had their child or children inoculated against a number of diseases to which babies are susceptible…

“On that basis we give our full-throated endorsement to the COVID-19 vaccine, recognising that it is the only viable solution on the immediate horizon to end the pandemic and return life to normal.”

Ahead of the Observer, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and head of the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches (JUGC) Rev Peter Garth expressed their wholehearted support for the vaccine.

Sir Patrick released photographs showing that he and his wife, Lady Allen, had taken their jabs, not only because they were in the vulnerable age group — above 60 — but as an example to the nation.

“Lady and I took the vaccine on the first day of the roll-out… That should show my endorsement. In every forum I am in I encourage Jamaicans to be vaccinated as soon as it is available to them,” the governor general said.

“In addition to being vaccinated, I encourage them to continue observing the protocols vis a vis congregating, social distancing, wearing a mask and frequent sanitisation of work and living spaces as often as necessary.

“In this way we reduce the opportunity for infecting others. If one does not have to go in public spaces, stay home. The sooner we combat and control the spread of the disease, the sooner we will return to normality, return to school full-time, church in person, business can go back to capacity operations, tourism industry functioning again and so on.

“The vaccine has been tested extensively and retested for side effects and proven in each case that it is a go. Vaccine is not a strange phenomenon to Jamaica. We have utilised it for the health of our children and in outbreak of diseases in the past,” the governor general added.

Rev Garth, who is also head of the Jamaica Evangelical Association (JEA), pledged to take the vaccine immediately it is available to him, saying it would be his example to Jamaicans and Christians in particular to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves against the deadly virus.

He said he had done his research and weighed the matter carefully before deciding that he would take the vaccine, and “do it publicly if necessary so that others can see that I am not against it”.

The pastor said that a majority of the JUGC leaders, who collectively represent 95 per cent of Jamaican Christians, had expressed their support for the vaccine, and suggested that while it was left up to individuals to take the vaccine or not, their own examples would help some Christians to make up their minds.

Rev Garth, who threw his support behind the Observer‘s endorsement of the vaccine describing it as “a good thing”, advised people having doubts about the vaccine to speak with their doctors and ask them whether they would take it themselves.

At the same time, the church leader said he was seriously concerned about the large number of Jamaicans who were flouting the COVID-19 protocols meant to safeguard the population. He noted that but for the rare exception, churches had been faithfully following the protocols.

“The problem is usually with thanksgiving or memorial services, where many mourners are very unruly. Some churches are having a hard time with them. Pastors have had to unplug microphones, walk out of an interment service or call the police to restore order at times,” he disclosed.

See today’s editorial: 

We enthusiastically endorse the COVID-19 vaccine