MCS tells about safety, importance of Covid-19 vaccine

The Government of St Kitts and Nevis continue to spread awareness about the safety and efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccine and the need for individuals to be vaccinated

Friday, 26th February 2021

MEDICAL CHIEF OF STAFF DR. CAMERON WILKINSON WAS THE FIRST TO RECEIVE THE ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 JAB IN ST. KITTS & NEVIS AT THE NEWTOWN DENTAL CLINIC

St Kitts and Nevis: The Government of St Kitts and Nevis continue to spread awareness about the safety and efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccine and the need for individuals to be vaccinated, which was the main focus of the live broadcast program 'Leadership Matters' on Tuesday, February 23rd. Medical Chief of Staff at the Joseph Nathaniel France (JNF) General Hospital, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, said vaccination is important, regarding the historical outbreak of the smallpox virus in the 1760s and a subsequent high mortality rate, Dr Wilkinson noted that the chickenpox vaccine at the time played an important role in reducing the spread and death of the smallpox virus, adding that 'Genna began vaccinating children with the cowpox vaccine causing the flood of death.' To reassure citizens about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, Dr Wilkinson said: "The most widely used vaccine has been around for decades with millions of people receiving it safely each year, and more than three (3) million lives are saved each year from vaccines." Dr Wilkinson noted that vaccines are safe and effective in preventing disease and saving lives, as it not only protects the individual receiving the vaccine, but also those around them. So if diseases are allowed to run, more lives will be lost and society will suffer. "Imagine a world where we fight Covid-19, except for smallpox, polio, pumpkins, measles and rubella," he said. "The deployment of vaccination was not only an attempt to protect us against this deadly virus, but also to show you the confidence we have in the efficacy and safety of the vaccine," notes Dr. Wilkinson on while taking the important step the government has taken in its fight against the coronavirus. He added: "The success of vaccines in eradicating a number of diseases locally and globally, some of which require more than ninety percent of the population to bring about herd immunity, speaks to the fact that the majority of us do the right thing and be vaccinated. " He urged all residents to act responsibly and be vaccinated to limit the far-reaching and detrimental effects of the Coronavirus.