EDITORIAL: No to forced vaccinations
We must encourage vaccination with every joule of energy we have, but must never force them upon anyone.
We are pro-vaccination hardliners, but not to the extent that powerful individuals – government itself included – must flex their muscles to force needles into people’s arms.
Yes, vaccines work and have performed wonders so far. Since vaccination campaigns kicked off, the world has become a better and considerably safer place. But there are a trillion ways to get people vaccinated without invoking draconian policies that border on violating fundamental individual rights.
True, patience is wearing thin regarding the anti-vax stance held by many. A change in this attitude could accelerate the pace at which things can normalise again.
But let us incentivise vaccinations, rather than forcing them. For example, advertising a vacancy and having being fully vaccinated as one of its requirements does not mandatorily force anyone to vaccinate. They have the option of getting the jab or simply skip that job opportunity.
Elsewhere in the world, some employers have given their workers the option to get vaccinated or provide regular test results against Covid-19. Again, this provides an option instead of simply adopting the “my way or the highway” attitude.
There’s no doubt that widescale vaccinations would help us get back our lives as they once were, but let’s not punish the ignoramuses - and knowledgeable persons who took a conscious stance against being vaccinated – for holding a view contrary to ours.
We are pro-vaccination hardliners, but not to the extent that powerful individuals – government itself included – must flex their muscles to force needles into people’s arms.
Yes, vaccines work and have performed wonders so far. Since vaccination campaigns kicked off, the world has become a better and considerably safer place. But there are a trillion ways to get people vaccinated without invoking draconian policies that border on violating fundamental individual rights.
True, patience is wearing thin regarding the anti-vax stance held by many. A change in this attitude could accelerate the pace at which things can normalise again.
But let us incentivise vaccinations, rather than forcing them. For example, advertising a vacancy and having being fully vaccinated as one of its requirements does not mandatorily force anyone to vaccinate. They have the option of getting the jab or simply skip that job opportunity.
Elsewhere in the world, some employers have given their workers the option to get vaccinated or provide regular test results against Covid-19. Again, this provides an option instead of simply adopting the “my way or the highway” attitude.
There’s no doubt that widescale vaccinations would help us get back our lives as they once were, but let’s not punish the ignoramuses - and knowledgeable persons who took a conscious stance against being vaccinated – for holding a view contrary to ours.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article