By Sue-Ann Wayow
VACCINATION against Covid-19 greatly reduces the chances of death if the virus is contracted.
This was the assurance of Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh on Monday when he offered condolences to the family of cultural icon Kenwrick “Kenny J” Joseph who died from Covid-19. He was fully vaccinated.
Joseph, 69, had publicly endorsed Covid-19 vaccinations and even did an advertisement with the Health Ministry advocating them.
Deyalsingh speaking at the Ministry of Health’s first virtual Covid-19 update for 2022 said a person’s overall health and wellbeing would also be key contributing factors related to a Covid-19 death.
He said, “The promise of vaccinations as we said from day one and globally, is that you have to take the issue of vaccination in the context of what the person’s overall health status is, what comorbidities they have etcetera.
“The promises of vaccinations are threefold. One, they significantly reduce your chance of contracting Covid. No one has ever said it eliminates the chance. Two, it significantly reduces your chances of needing advanced care. It does not eliminate it. And three, we have always said, it reduces your chances of dying from Covid. That was always the promises of vaccinations around the world.”
Referring to the new dashboard look for 2022 which focuses on vaccination status, Deyalsingh said the number of vaccinated persons who died was significantly smaller than the number of unvaccinated persons who passed away.
The minister again pleaded with the population to become vaccinated while acknowledging the concerns that have arisen.
