The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown almost everyone’s life in great jeopardy. It has become part of our everyday conversations about thinking that how this pandemic, which is wreaking havoc among our citizens, is going to be suppressed, if ever. There has been public commentary on the issues of vaccination in local media including The Fiji Times regularly.
This vexing issue of vaccine hesitancy has been exacerbated by videos and pictures of people having spoons and other magnetic materials sticking to their arms, supposedly, after getting vaccinated. These videos have gone viral over social media and do not do any favour to the vaccination campaigns.
Not only this, Australia’s changes to its age category for AstraZeneca vaccine had left some feeling perturbed. Anti-vaxxers have continued to promote negativities and seem to get more attention in social media. More emojis, views, likes and shares are a usual sight relating to these videos. Undeniably, these Vaxxers have an insatiable appetite for instant gratification.
Escaping Catch-22
The vaccine may not be a full size magic bullet, but it provides us with the greatest opportunity to overcome this pandemic. Notably, misinformation and conspiracy theories propagated in social media has become a stumbling block in the health authorities’ ability to vaccinate the targeted population. Choosing to vaccinate or not to vaccinate oneself creates a vaccine catch-22.
There are ethical and legal issues pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccination. Do employers have the right to ask for the vaccination status of an employee? Already some workers as reported (F/T 22/6 Workers take jab complain to ministry) are facing these dilemmas. What are the views of our OHS and law experts?
Can the employers add a new clause to the contract which states about vaccination?
In the F/T on June 23, the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-discrimination Commission (FHRADC) director, explicitly states that employers need to strike an appropriate balance based on the nature of the industry, whether they deal with disadvantaged groups, and their legal obligations under the existing employment contract. These are some of the predicaments we will have to deal with in the future.
Those who do not want to vaccinate themselves may face lower job prospect, albeit there are constitutional provisions to say no to vaccination. Probably, if one wants to get a job or remain employed then one must get vaccinated but then their beliefs stop them doing so. Apparently, if you are not fully vaccinated then this lowers your chance of getting employed.
If one is not able to inoculate because of religious, personal beliefs or any other pre-existing health conditions then their choice must be respected. However, employers cannot be implementing discriminatory practices on their workers based on their beliefs, but must foster greater collaboration to unravel the conundrum.
Expert and leaders’ advice
WHO health advisor Fiona Russell in the F/T on (21/6) elucidates eloquently that blood clots are more likely to develop because of COVID-19 than with the vaccine. Likewise, lawyer John Apted (F/T 18/6) points out that no person can be vaccinated against their will, but an individual’s choice not to be vaccinated has to be balanced against the right of others.
In consequence, by not getting vaccinated how much is an individual endangering the lives of others. As The Fiji Times reported, our religious leaders have vehemently expressed their views on the importance to receive the jab because this is going to greatly help us in fighting this disease.
Risks vs rewards
Vaccine is just like wearing a seatbelt while the car is driven, at least it provides protection. The side effects are akin to the chance of getting an accident when driving a car on a normal day. On this account, the risk associated with getting the vaccine is very similar to the risk one faces in carrying out their normal course of action in any ordinary day. In contrast the rewards outweigh the risk if one chooses to get vaccinated. International evidence shows that the AstraZeneca vaccine has high efficacy rate with a very rare chance of blood clot. So far we do not have any reported cases of blood clot or any other complications. Vaccines are lifesaving tool and are going to reduce the health inequalities that exist in our societies and position us on the clear path to recovery.
Vaccination programs
COVID-19 vaccines are a public good and citizens must leverage from the vaccination drive. Vaccine hesitancy challenges are not only an issue in Fiji, but many other countries as well. Our immunisation rate is progressing well in comparison to others in the pacific region.
We have been fortunate to receive vaccines through the COVAX facility coupled with the generosity of the Governments of India, Australia and New Zealand, but must also need to continue to ramp up the vaccine stock. Organisations such as the FNU and Fiji Village are doing a wonderful work of holding virtual sessions to dispel myths and misinformation. Moreover, as a responsible media organisation, The Fiji Times has heightened its level of vaccination awareness through its COVID-19 fight page, opinion column and letters to the editor section where public and experts could express their views.
The way forward
Time is running out, the stakes cannot be higher. How Information is interpreted and applied is crucial. Health promotions and education programs are an important component of vaccination awareness program and the public needs accurate and timely information to combat this pandemic. Having information sessions in different languages to debunk vaccine hesitancy could be another option.
Fundamentally, it is about building public trust. Many of us resort to social media like, Facebook for information, but must know how to filter facts from fiction.
Reliable, uncomplicated, consistent and solid messages from authorities, religious leaders and COVID-19 champions such as our sporting personalities could bring about some attitudinal change which would be part of the collective action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and promoting the common good. Is rewarding citizens or employees to get vaccinated is a great idea in developing as of ours, but then under the current challenges this could be one of the approaches.
There has been suggestion of achieving herd immunity to have some semblance of normality in future. Conversely, as new variants emerge the target also shifts for the herd immunity, but learning that this vaccine is effective with the delta variant is emboldening. The overarching objective of the vaccination programs are to reduce the pressure on the healthcare system; lessen the overall morbidity and mortality of COVID-19; reopen society and eliminate diseases, for the reason that we want to build back sooner and better.
- Pranil Ram is regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed are not necessarily shared by this newspaper.
