THE two key reasons why people in rural communities in Western Province refused the COVID-19 vaccination are religion and weather.
This was the statement of a Helena Goldie Hospital Vaccination Team representative Zonnie Raymond.
Mr Raymond told Solomon Star today (Thursday 27th January) that there are church leaders who preached to their congregation against taking the vaccine.
As a result, he said some villages turned vaccination teams away.
“At some villages in Marovo they harass us when we want to roll out the vaccine because people are spreading rumours that the vaccine is poisonous and will kill people after they are vaccinated and other excuses,” Mr Raymond said.
“Bearing in mind that it is the right of the people.”
Mr Raymond is also a lecturer at Helena Goldie Nursing College.
He said bad weather often hinders movement of people to the vaccination sites set up by his team.
The Helena Goldie Hospital Vaccination Team is responsible for rolling out the vaccination program from Jella to Noro, in Vonavona Lagoon, Roviana and Rendova.
Mr Raymond said his team also set up a vaccination site at Helena Goldie Hospital.
Therefore, he urged people in these communities and other surrounding communities to get their jab at the hospital after the lockdown.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Newsroom, Honiara
