The Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday said that teachers can opt out of receiving COVID-19 vaccines, as it anticipates the availability of immunization for teachers.
In a press release issued yesterday, the Education Ministry and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) welcome the recent arrival of COVID-19 vaccines to Guyana. The ministry further stated that “it is not and will not be mandatory for teachers to be vaccinated, the MoE and GTU will embark on a sensitization campaign to better inform teachers of the facts surrounding vaccination and the importance and benefits of being vaccinated”. It added that the choice will be left entirely to the individuals.
It was further stated that this decision has been mutually decided on between the two bodies and that it is in preparation for when vaccines become available. The MoE said that plans for the rolling out of the vaccination process are being made and will be publicised at the appropriate time.
In the meantime, in pursuance of an agreement between the GTU and the MoE and to become ready to access the vaccine, the MoE will issue letters to each teacher so as to make them easily identifiable to health personnel. “The Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union stand committed to their duty to ensure our teachers are safe, particularly at this time as we are all battling this pandemic together,” the release said.
On March 3rd, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony said that teachers are among the frontline workers who will be immunised as the vaccines arrive.
