Public servants chose not to be vaccinated based on religious conviction: Report

A recent report presented to Cabinet by the Oversight Committee says part of the remaining 18 percent of public servants who haven’t taken their vaccine based their reasons on religious conviction and beliefs.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare today encourage public servants who have religious conviction or beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccine to see their respective church leaders.

This is according to Prime Minister Sogavare when he highlighted the findings of the report in his COVID-19 nationwide address today.

“I encourage these public servants to see their respective church leaders, most of whom have been vaccinated to discuss their concerns and go and get vaccinated.

“Most of these Christians do not have objections to other vaccines such as those for measles, chicken pox, rubella, whooping cough, TB or hepatitis so why are they objecting to vaccinating against a disease that is more deadly?” Mr Sogavare posed.

The report also stated that some public servants chose not to be vaccinated based on their human and constitutional right not to be vaccinated.

However, Mr Sogavare said: “For all those that stand on their constitutional right to choose not to be vaccinated, they must also understand and respect the constitutional right of the majority that have been vaccinated”.

He acknowledged with huge appreciation the dedication, commitment and duty of care shown by 82 percent of its employee who responded to the government’s call to get vaccinated to protect their families, communities, and country from COVID-19.

“The Government looks forward to you completing your second doses to be fully vaccinated and contribute to our goal of reopening our borders,” Sogavare said.

by Jared Koli