As residents in some parts of the region continue to fight mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Chairman Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda says the percentage of fully vaccinated residents is unacceptably low.
He fears that the low numbers put herd immunity out of reach for the near future.
“We need to correct this. We have to continue to stand together to fight the issue of vaccine hesitancy which is perhaps the most significant threat to the region at this time,” Browne said on Monday.
“We need to refloat our economies while keeping our people safe, and to place ourselves in a position to take advantage of the spike in tourism demand that several member states are currently experiencing.”
Browne said the region must not be daunted by the challenge of gaining access to vaccines while battling vaccine hesitancy among the populations. He noted that countries across the world are experiencing their third, fourth and fifth waves of infections while the region is tackling access to vaccines.
Browne was speaking at the virtual installation ceremony of Dr Carla Barnett as the eighth Secretary-General of CARICOM.
He told Dr Barnett that the top priority for the 15-member regional grouping is to mobilize assistance to meet the humanitarian needs of Haiti, which was hit by an earthquake last Saturday.
The disaster and massive loss of life, Browne added, are painful reminders of the political, economic and social tragedies that have beset Haiti since 1804.
Browne said that in his capacity as Chairman of CARICOM, he believes the time has come to change the trajectory of Haiti. He said that, in collaboration with Haiti’s political directorate and the international community, measures must be established to allow that country to take a fundamental change in direction.
The Antiguan leader, who described Dr Barnett’s installation ceremony as representing the spirit of continuity of the CARICOM leadership with the passing of the baton to new hands, wished her a successful term in office on behalf.
He said the Belizean brings vast experience and expertise to the position and noted that having served as Assistant Secretary-General placed her in the ideal position to hit the ground running.
“As the first female CARICOM Secretary-General, I know that you will succeed in demonstrating to the world that talent resides in both sexes equally and that the leadership of our regional institution is open to those talented sons and daughters who bring the requisite skills to the table,” Prime Minister Browne said.
“As I welcome you to the position of CARICOM Secretary-General, I must also acknowledge the sterling contribution of your immediate predecessor, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque of the Commonwealth of Dominica.”
The Chairman commended LaRocque for his service, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also reminded member states that the work of finalizing the terms of the CAIRCOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) remains to be completed and insisted that it must be done quickly if CARICOM is to retain the confidence of the people it represents.
“It is no doubt that we have to make the CSME operational and to increase our level of functional cooperation, so that we could have a more effective CARICOM region. It is my intention to raise these matters with you and to strive for ways in which we can make the machinery of CARICOM run more smoothly.
“It is absolutely important that we improve the machinery of CARICOM for the benefit of all member states, especially considering the challenges that we have to confront at this time.” (AH)
