Anna-Lisa Paul
With vaccinations soon to start on children 12 years and older, the Ministry of Education (MoE) is seeking feedback from parents on their level of interest.
However, there is already, a great degree of pushback by parents and other education bodies, to the idea.
The Ministry yesterday confirmed that in conjunction with the Ministry of Health (MoH), they are “organising for the vaccination of students in Primary and Secondary schools who are between the ages of 12 to 18 inclusive.”
The Pfizer vaccine will be used.
Among those resisting the move is The Movement for Concerned Parents which said that of the 3,200 members currently registered with them, approximately 68 per cent are against vaccinations for children at this time.
“On the ground, parents are clearly stating that they are not getting their children involved in any vaccination process at this point in time,” head of the group Clarence Mendoza said yesterday.
Mendoza said parents had expressed misgivings that the vaccine would not prevent their children from contracting the virus.
“Parents are concerned that their child at this early age, especially those with only one child in the household, are saying they are not willing to take the chance to vaccinate. Instead, they are saying they prefer to keep their child at home and stay with the online classes as the case may be, but they are refusing to put their children’s lives in jeopardy at this point in time.”
“This is a parental decision which they must sit and discuss with their child by letting them know what this is about and getting the necessary information,” Mendoza added.
Speaking directly to those in charge, Mendoza continued, “We are looking to the Government of T&T to step up to the plate and know that a September opening for face to face, is a no-no.”
He added, “Parents are saying this is a no-no. They are asking for statistics from 2020/2021 to know how their children performed online and we are not seeing that. We have asked for it to be published and it has not been.”
He said a select group of educational stakeholders should not be allowed to make such major decisions for the collective as this remained “an experimental vaccine.”
“We should be going through due diligence in preparing the way forward for 2022 and not be looking to rush into 2021 without the answers from 2020. This is what parents are grumbling about and some of our teachers also, as there are persons who have not been vaccinated from this group either.”
Mendoza shared some of the responses from parents, showing scepticism.
“They’re changing their song every week and they want me and my child to take a vaccine, never,” one parent said.
Another added, “Since last year the Ministry suppose to engage in this discussion. It is not easy to manage and time collaboration money and effort from all stakeholders is required.”
A third parent said, “Anyone who insists on the physical reopening of school has to be MAD. Children under 12 cannot be vaccinated and NO vaccine is 100% safe to PREVENT the spread or contraction of this virus or any variant.”
The Ministry’s rollout plan advises members of the public that a link would be provided early next week for parents to indicate their interests.
An online link will be provided and call centres activated to allow parents/guardians to choose the venue, date and time of vaccination for their child/ward.
An appointment will be automatically generated upon completion of the online form and that parents/guardians must accompany all minors to receive the vaccine. They will also be requested to walk with identification, proof of relationship to child where required and an electronic birth certificate of the child/ward for age verification.
People authorised by parents to accompany students must walk with the letter of authorisation signed by the parent, a copy of the parent’s proof of identification as well as their own form of identification.
The decision to vaccination students for the reopening of classes has also been attracting a wide cross-section of views online.
Among them, the head of the Single Fathers Association of T&T, Rhondall Feeles.
“My boy is 14 and his mum and I asked him about it also. We are separated and co parent. His mum is a nurse and vaccinated. He does not want to be. I nor she will be the ones to instruct him to without having concrete evidence of his guaranteed safety. Unlike the other vaccines that we had given him as a baby this is an Emergency vaccine and whereas we as adults can make a decision to take that risk ourselves, we cannot exclude him from this decision-making process.”
Another person, San Dan said, “Vaccinate the children as much as you can but don’t return to physical schooling just yet. We’re no where near herd immunity.”
Gale Charles wrote, in response to a question on whether parents agree with vaccinating their children, “In a heartbeat!”
Pearl James revealed, “My son have heart problems do u think for a min I’m going to let my child take that and even if he was not like this I still will not . I know as a parent I want what is best for my child as everyone does but I’m making my choice not by listing to science or media I’m going with my motherly instincts on what’s best for my child and trust God in the process.”
Amanda Poyah stated, “We all had to be vaccinated to enter primary school and university, why stop now”.
Kesha Ramkissoon said, “I seriously don’t see the need to Rush children back to school ..the online schooling is best right now for all of us! The vaccine not stopping the spread so why put them out there? Why?”
Marla Villafana said, “yes, my child is doing it of her own free will,” while Michelle Foreman confirmed, “Yes, and my 12 year old has also stated that he wants to be vaccinated.”
A donation of 305,370 Pfizer vaccines from the US arrived in T&T on Thursday and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has previously said these vaccines will be reserved for use among children only as the authorities are hoping to physically reopen schools in September and resume face to face classes once students are inoculated.
At the secondary school level, only children between the ages of 12 to 18 will be eligible to receive the Pfizer injection which is the only vaccine approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for use in children 12 and older.