Harmon vaccine comments ‘incendiary’ – Dr. Ramsammy

Advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy says Opposition Leader, Hon. Joseph Harmon’s comments on Guyana’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign are “incendiary.”

Dr. Ramsammy shared this view recently on Trinidad and Tobago’s “The Morning Brew” television show.

He denounced the Opposition Leader’s comments, which sought to dissuade people from taking the Sputnik V vaccine, even though Mr. Harmon is fully vaccinated against Covid with the same vaccine.

In outlining Mr. Harmon’s duplicity on Sputnik V, Dr. Ramsammy said, “many of them, including the Leader of the Opposition did not only take that vaccine, but specifically requested it when they had a choice of other vaccines.”

While noting that Guyana has done remarkably well to vaccinate nearly 50 per cent of the adult population, he said the “whisper campaigns” that are advanced by Mr. Harmon in APNU-AFC strongholds are harmful.

“Our job in Guyana is to make sure whatever vaccine hesitancy exists, that we address that.”

Dr. Ramsammy also said the Administration will pursue its agenda of ensuring at least 500,000 people are vaccinated against the virus this year.

Additionally, he underscored that the vaccination campaign in Guyana is using vaccines that are proven and effective.

“We did not just go and take the first vaccine that was offered to us… We have done our due diligence. We made sure that the vaccines that we decided to use in our programme, vaccines that are available to us, achieve its goal.”

Advisor Ramsammy lauded Guyana’s vaccination drive. He noted that there have been no reported cases of serious Covid complications nor deaths among fully vaccinated people.

Last week, His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali commended his Administration’s efforts to safeguard the nation from Covid. He also characterised the Opposition Leader’s comments as highly inappropriate.

“All the scientific literature tells you how important vaccination is and countries are fighting, desperately, to get these vaccines. These vaccines are not easily procured.

We have tried every single measure, and for Mr Harmon to try to discredit those efforts, to now try to dissuade Guyanese at this important, this public health juncture of our country, is reckless and shameful.”

Like the Head of State, Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony also called criticised   Mr. Harmon’s comments and asked that he withdraw them.

“We urge you to be more responsible and to join us in our pursuit for full vaccination of the adult population in Guyana as early as possible, in order to curb this relentless pandemic.

It is in the interest and welfare of all of our citizens,” Dr. Anthony said.

Guyana is currently using the AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and Sputnik V vaccines to combat COVID-19.