Make vaccination mandatory
Published:Saturday | August 7, 2021 | 12:05 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
It’s time for the Government of Jamaica to make it mandatory for all public-sector workers to get vaccinated. Those who refuse to comply with receiving COVID-19 tests each and every week should be temporarily banned from going on business-related trips out of town or overseas. They should be asked not to attend, temporarily, any company events such as seminars, conventions, retreats, etc. Unvaccinated public-sector workers who refuse to comply with the above-mentioned penalties should be suspended for a month, without pay, in the first instance.
The Government should encourage the leaders in the private sector to adopt the aforementioned sanctions for their own cadre of workers immaterial of their post and position in the company.
A public-private sector partnership of incentive offerings should be formulated and awarded to persons who receive their first and/or second vaccine jab. These could be in the form of coupons/vouchers to receive free gasolene and/or free meals and/or a free bag of groceries; the forgiving of traffic ticket fines, etc.
It is sad and disappointing that these measures may have to be resorted to and incentives/rewards offered to unvaccinated persons. This is necessary in order to save Jamaican citizens from getting infected by COVID-19, and to one day, achieve herd immunity.
PATRICK GALLIMORE