Parents taking steps toward vaccine exemption

Some individuals seeking an exemption from having their children take the COVID-19 vaccine are reportedly coming up against a stumbling block.

While the vaccine against the viral illness is not mandated by law, Barbados TODAY understands that some people were being turned away by some medical doctors who were refusing to provide the necessary counselling and the exemption forms because they are pro-vaxxers.

President of the African Heritage Foundation Ras Paul Simba Rock, who has been one of the individuals facilitating the vaccine exemption process for more than 11 years, told Barbados TODAY he was disappointed that some doctors were refusing to provide the service simply “because they say they are pro-vaccine”.

The COVID-19 vaccine is not yet among the required immunization for children and therefore an exemption is not necessary at this time.

However, Rock explained that the exemption being sought, which is usually due mainly to religious and medical purposes, were mainly as a result of people being proactive and believing that the COVID-19 vaccine will soon be added to the list of vaccines mandated to be taken by children.

“It is better to have it and not need it than not to have it and need. It is about being proactive and prepared. People feel this is their last grasp to holding on to that human right,” said Rock, who pointed out that more people than usual were seeking exemption from having to take the vaccine or give it to their children.

Usually, individuals who do not wish to take a vaccine or have the vaccine administered to their children for whatever reason, are able to get an exemption from the Ministry of Health.

That individual would need to obtain an exemption letter and an affidavit that must then be signed by a notary public and taken to a medical practitioner where they outline why they do not want their children to be immunized.

A part of the process is that the individual speak with a public health nurse or doctor about their decision not to have their child vaccinated and they would receive counselling. They are then required to make an appointment with the Registry where they would take the affidavit, letter and forms, and pay the required fee.

The rastafarian community has long opposed the taking of vaccines and certain western medicines due to their beliefs and preference for natural remedies.

“What has happened now is that there are more people who want to be exempted from taking the vaccine and those who did not go that way before who would like to have it done now,” said Rock.

“Whether a doctor is pro-vaccine, anti-vaccine or pro-choice it is the legal right of a citizen to access such a document, and they should not be withholding their document . . .If they are pro-vaccine you need to tell the people that and let the persons still have the document and go about their business,” he said.

“Doctors have an obligation to support the choice of their patient with treatment or non-treatment. Even when you have cancer and they give you the option of chemotherapy, it is an option that you can have it done or you don’t have it done. There are always options in the world of medicine, patient-centred options,” he said.

He said some people have also been complaining that when they visit the Ministry of Health to obtain the forms they are being told that if their children received a vaccine before they should take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Bianka Boyce is one parent who has been turned away by several private doctors.

She told Barbados TODAY she has been to three doctors and none of them wanted to do the session simply because they were all for taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

“I went to the Ministry of Health, Winston Scott Polyclinic, and I explained to the nurse that I wasn’t sure about my son getting the vaccine and I made arrangements with a lawyer already and I have the documentation that said ‘for religious purposes my son would not be getting the vaccine’ and I needed the form. She told me they do not have a form only for COVID. But the form is not only for COVID. It is for any vaccine,” said Boyce

She said the nurse she spoke with insisted that since it was not mandatory to take the vaccine she did not need an exemption. However, Boyce said she explained she did not want to wait until that time when it became mandatory.

She explained that in the exchange with the nurse, she was told she could only get the forms after she has been through the counselling session at a polyclinic in her catchment area.

“I went to a doctor and he told me he is not giving people the form because he is pro-vaccine. I told him I am pro-vaccine too because my son has all the vaccines but it is just this one because it is so new so I wanted to take my time before I make that decision for my son. But the doctor told me he will not be able to give me that form for my son because he is pro-vaccine, and two other private doctors told me the same thing,” said Boyce.

When contacted by Barbados TODAY, health officials insisted that the COVID-19 vaccine was not mandatory and therefore seeking an exemption was unnecessary, while confirming that the process of obtaining such an exemption had not changed.

President of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) Dr Lynda Williams told Barbados TODAY she was not aware of any of the association’s members turning people away and not providing the exemption form and necessary counselling.

“This is the first time I am hearing about this,” she said.

Boyce insisted that she was not waiting for things to be mandated before getting the exemption, pointing out that she would be seeking to schedule a counselling session with the polyclinic in her area.

“When you have the Minister of Education making certain comments and you have the Prime Minister making certain comments  . . . as a parent you have to start putting things in place. When do we start doing this, when school starts back face-to-face and you tell me that my children cannot go to school?

“As a parent you want to put things in place,” said Boyce.

Insisting that she had “nothing against vaccines”, Boyce said, “I am simply not ready, but I follow protocols so I can be a responsible member of society, but I have not taken the vaccine because I am not ready for it.”
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb