BUT supports COVID vaccines for children under 12

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) sees Government’s move to acquire vaccines for children between the ages of five and 11 as a positive step.

However, General Secretary of the island’s largest teachers’ union, Herbert Gittens says it is left to be seen how many parents will allow their young charges to be vaccinated.

His comments follow Thursday’s disclosure by Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George that health authorities were in the process of sourcing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11, noting that the World Health Organization had approved its use.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY, Gittens said how many children in that age group were vaccinated would depend on the willingness of their parents and guardians.

“Basically, most countries have been using vaccination as a way to get out of the pandemic. We know there are challenges as it relates to the vaccine; there are persons who are hesitant, there are those who are anti-vaxxers…

“I know at some point there is going to be a time when Barbados will have their tranche of vaccines available for younger children. As it relates to vaccination for younger children, we know very well that at that age it becomes a matter for parental guidance, where what you are going to have is that parents are the ones who have to determine whether or not their children will be vaccinated,” he pointed out.

Although supporting the acquisition of vaccines for younger children, Gittens stressed that the BUT was not in favour of vaccination being compulsory.

“Right now, there is no mandate in Barbados as it relates to vaccination. That is a matter of choice and we support Government’s position that there be no mandates, so it remains a matter of choice. So we have to wait and see what the uptake will be as it relates to those children between five and 11,” he said.

“It would be good for them to be vaccinated but as we see, the vaccination is not the cure-all as yet because persons who have been vaccinated are still catching the COVID-19.”

Herbert reiterated that the BUT is in support of a return to face-to-face classes but in a safe environment.

He said given the current circumstances, online school continues to be the best option right now.

“The BUT and the BSTU [Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union] have both been speaking on behalf of the teaching fraternity. I could almost say that both entities have been saying that we don’t really have a challenge with the reopening of schools; however, at this time, given the challenges that exist – the high rise in cases and the vaccination rates and the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Wellness – [it is best] that schools remain online and that we support reopening only when it is safe to do so because safety and health are paramount for us.

“Right now the closure has nothing to do with the BUT. The guidance is coming from the Ministry of Health and Wellness,” Gittens said. (RB)