#BTColumn – Let common sense reign

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today.

by Professor Sir Henry Fraser

Enough is enough. We have had indulgent health officials and call-in programme moderators allowing every Tom, Dick, Harry and Mabel to air their views on vaccines, echoing the uninformed or the malignant conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine lobbies on social media of the eccentrics in the USA, on the mostly imaginary risks of the COVID-19 vaccine and indeed any vaccine, when vaccines have in fact saved millions of lives from so many infectious diseases, from small pox, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, tuberculosis, measles, rubella, pneumococcal pneumonia, et cetera .. even ebola.

It is time to make it absolutely clear that a little tenderness at the site and occasional small rise in temperature are the only common side effects.

Anaphylaxis has not been reported in any of the many doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccine given. It is perfectly safe, and unless the great majority of adults receive the vaccination we will live under siege with increased suffering for many for a very long time.

So enough is enough. We understand the fears of anything new, but let us go forward based on the science and the evidence.

God-speed to the government in getting enough vaccines here quickly. Meanwhile, folks, PLEASE wear your mask properly – preferably double mask or add a face shield, sanitise, keep your social distance, use your common sense and get out into the sun for your generous daily dose of sunshine with its Vitamin D, or vitamin D supplements for the “shut-ins”.

This has not been emphasised, unfortunately, but it greatly reduces your risk of infection, of severe illness and of death from COVID-19.