Since the inception of the Covid 19 pandemic in Guyana the GPSU has been taking this matter very seriously
in its representations on behalf of its members as well as keeping the organization abreast with actions to contain the virus and achieve herd immunity. On behalf of its members, the Union monitored the situation, made representations to government officials and pursued various options to address members’ concerns. The GPSU also at the same time included the topic Coronavirus 2019 and its related issues as a substantive item on the Agenda of all Statutory Executive Council Meetings.
Over time, the Union has been increasingly disappointed with the ineffective handling of COVID-19 related matters by Government. On May 1, 2021 the Union made a comprehensive criticism of what was taking place and this article was published in the Stabroek News on May 2, 2021. The Government’s handling of the process to contain the pandemic was considered to be naïve and in relation to the treatment of frontline workers ruthless and insensitive, given that very valuable human resources, essential to the efforts necessary to mitigate the impact of this deadly virus, were shunned and/or overlooked for risk allowances.
Subsequent to this public condemnation the GPSU wrote the Prime Minister, Brig (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, as the Head of the COVID-19 Task Force on the matter which correspondence he acknowledged. The Union noted subsequently what was considered a subtle and callous response to the dealing with the pandemic, where an open threat was issued by a politician, that should citizens not take the vaccine now they may risk having to pay for same later. This made it obvious that the Government had no intention of instituting firmer and more serious measures which were considered necessary. In response to our second correspondence to the Prime Minister he indicated that the Union should encourage all public servants to be vaccinated at the earliest opportunity.
Recently, there has been a public confrontation at the political level with respect to actions being taken in response to the national approach to resist being engulfed by this pandemic. This situation regrettably seems more political than objective and in this regard the Guyana Public Service Union considers it insensitive and irresponsible and condemns any form of political posturing in dealing with this serious and deadly health threat. This pandemic is devastating to our sparse national human resources.
Before expressing the GPSU’s position on the current vaccine issue in Guyana, please note the following:
A Centre for Disease Control of the United States of America report has confirmed that 10,000 fully vaccinated Americans still contracted COVID-19, of which 160 died as of May 21, 2021.
The Mercury News of California as of June 7, 2021 reported that the Department of Public Health in California stated that there were 5,305 post-vaccination COVID-19 cases identified, of which at least 40 died.
Taking into consideration the foregoing and in recognition of the fact that all the COVID-19 vaccines had emergency approval for use. The Guyana Public Service Union fully supports the procurement and distribution of World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccines to the Guyanese public.
Further, the GPSU supports the individual right of Guyanese citizens to refuse medical treatment, including vaccines after making informed decisions.
Guyana is an elected member of the Executive Board of World Health Organization and is represented on that Board by the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony. The main function of this Board is to implement the decisions and policies of the World Health Assembly and advise generally to facilitate its work.
Article 21 (d) of the Constitution of the World Health Organization, states:
“The Health Assembly shall have authority to adopt regulations concerning: standards with respect to the safety, purity and potency of biological, pharmaceutical and similar products moving in international commerce.”
Article 22 further state:
“Regulations adopted pursuant to Article 21 shall come into force for all Members after due notice has been given of their adoption by the Health Assembly except for such Members as may notify the Director-General of rejection or reservations within the period stated in the notice.”
As a high-ranking member of this organization, Guyana should set an example by following the vaccination guidelines of this reputable health organization. It is even more imperative in the absence of all local capabilities to confirm safety and efficacy standards. The Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has acknowledged Sputnik V vaccine has not yet enjoyed the approval of the WHO. The GPSU has also accessed the following release:
Russia expects WHO to approve Sputnik V vaccine within two months –RDIF -
Polina NikolskayaKatya Golubkova
Vials labeled "Sputnik V coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine", March 24, 2021. REUTERS / Dado Ruvic
ST PETERSBURG, Russia, June 4 (Reuters) - Russia expects the World Health Organization (WHO) to approve the Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus within two months, Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) which markets the vaccine, told Reuters.
He said the European Medicines Agency (EMA) which is also reviewing Sputnik V "was provided with all basic existing information, there is no critical remarks for now at all".
Dmitriev did not say when EMA could make its decision, redirecting questions to the agency and said that WHO did not have significant critical remarks either, based on a couple of inspections. Dmitriev declined to specify which production sites were visited during the review.
"We see that inspectors are keeping a professional attitude ... there are no significant critical remarks, at least for now."
"If we were not absolutely sure of the transparency of the process, we would not have invited anybody," he said.
In keeping with WHO health and safety guidelines, Guyana should not approve the roll out of this or any other vaccine not approved by the WHO. The GPSU noted the irresponsible position of the Guyana Medical Council, where it states “There is no reason to expect denial of approval for this vaccine from the WHO and other authorities in the coming weeks.” This statement not only conflicts with the Russian press release, but also smacks as taking additional risks with the lives of the populace given that even the emergency approved vaccines did not provide any guarantee against COVID-19.
GPSU do not subscribe to compromising safety (health) standards in order to expedite the vaccination programme and calls on the Government of Guyana to confirm to the higher standard – WHO Standards in acquiring the Covid-19 vaccines for distribution and use by the Guyanese population.
The GPSU therefore firmly recommends a hold on all vaccines which are not WHO approved until such clearance is received in order to create a comfort level and assurance of safety in the minds of every citizen or potential users.