Despite Wells’ suggestion that students may need COVID vaccine, health ministry says otherwise

A day after Minister of Health Renward Wells told reporters the government was in talks about whether the COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory for children attending school, the Ministry of Health released a statement saying no one under 18, including children in The Bahamas, will be administered the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Although the government of The Bahamas has been proactive in securing mechanisms that will give the Bahamian people access to this much-needed vaccine, the Ministry of Health underscores that administration of the COVID-19 vaccine is entirely voluntary,” the ministry said.

“In other words, only those who wish to receive the vaccine can avail themselves of it.”

Speaking outside Cabinet on Tuesday, Wells said, “There’s a list of vaccines already that folks take in order to go to school. We are in discussions about it. Obviously, if that decision is made, we will come back and tell the Bahamian people.

“But we don’t require you to take the flu vaccine to go to school. There are some vaccines that are required and there are some vaccines that are not. The flu vaccine is not required.”

Wells insisted that the position of the government is that the vaccine will not be mandatory. However, he noted that the situation with COVID is a fluid one, and that the government is relying on the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO).

“At the end of the day, the current position of the government of The Bahamas is this isn’t mandatory unless the WHO and others change their protocols and their requirements, I don’t believe that you will see any change with us,” he said.

 “But again, this situation with COVID is very fluid.”

In its statement yesterday, the ministry said it will continue to comport with best practice and international standards on medical and public health matters. This extends to the age recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine administration, it added.

From current knowledge, the approved age range for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is 16 and Moderna is 18, it added.

“The ministry notes the global scientific clinical trials currently underway to determine/study the safety and efficacy of this vaccine in persons 12 to 17 years of age,” it continued.

“We assure the Bahamian people that COVID-19 vaccination among children will not be offered within this sub-population until evidence suggests it is safe to do so, and with the consent of parents and guardians.”

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/despite-wells-suggestion-that-students-may-need-covid-vaccine-health-ministry-says-otherwise/