By Prior Beharry
VACCINE hesitancy for some staff and caregivers at long-stay homes is worrying the relatives of residents.
The relatives fear that the vulnerable elderly residents may contract Covid-19 and die.
President of Trinidad and Tobago Resident Care Association Caroline Ruiz confirmed to AZPNews.com last week that there was vaccine hesitancy among staff at these homes.
There have also been an increase in deaths of people in the over 80 age group due to Covid-19, according to epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds at a virtual presser of the Ministry of Health last Wednesday.
Questions about the issue by AZPNews.com, Dr Hinds said the ministry was not aware of hesitancy among staff in these facilities.
He said, “The Only thing we can do with respect to vaccine hesitancy anywhere is to encourage individuals to look at the research, listen to credible sources and trust in system that has provided a range of safe and effective vaccines for global use.
Dr Hinds said, “We want to reach out to all healthcare staff and to all persons in the population to have faith in the vaccines, to utilise the vaccines that are available and in so doing you protect no only yourself but those who are in your care and presence whether in your care at home or at your workplace.”
He also encouraged relatives to give permission to have residents in these homes vaccinated.
Relatives of residents at a homes in northwest Trinidad told AZPNews.com they were worried that their loved ones may pass away without them having a chance to see or speak to them.
Since the pandemic, no visitors are allowed at these long-stay homes.
One relatives wrote to a home expressing sadness and concern about lack of vaccination of staff. They are even contemplating removing their relatives from these home.
AZPNews.com received a copy of the letter which stated: “One of my biggest concerns now is the fact that many of the caregivers at (deleted) have not been vaccinated.
“As you are aware although the residents received their vaccines, they can still get Covid-19 and because of their age and frailty might not be able to fight it.
“This has been a source of tremendous stress, worry and anxiety for me. It has caused me many sleepless nights and anguish worrying about the possible exposure to the virus from unvaccinated staff. The elderly are the most vulnerable and as you are well aware we are still struggling with dangerous variants which will no doubt reach our shores… it’s just a matter of time.
“As the science has clearly shown, the only lasting way for people to be protected against the virus is for everyone to be fully vaccinated. As a result of my concerns as stated above, it is with a heavy heart that I wish to inform you that I am exploring and considering removing my loved one from deleted.”
In another letter, a relative said he was going to take his relative out of the home.
He said he knew of at least two deaths at elderly care homes and another resident currently hospitalised due to Covid-19.
He noted that half of the home’s caregivers had refused to take the Covid-19 vaccine.
He said, “I am no longer willing to continue to rely solely on the PPE that the caregivers wear to protect (name deleted) given the fact that various vaccines are now available to add a much-needed extra layer of protection.
He added, “Since the majority of your staff are refusing the essential layer of protection that vaccines afford, I have taken a decision to move (name deleted) back home with me.”
Ruiz said she was still waiting from the North West Regional Health Authority to provide her organisation with vaccines.
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