So far, Phase two of the vaccination rollout has seen teachers and media personnel get their first dose. But while we're still in phase 2A, which does not include members of the National Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition still got his jab today.
He was asked to do so by MOHW to encourage others to do the same as a part of their public awareness campaign.
Courtney Menzies was there at the SJC gym this morning and has this story.
The Leader of the Opposition has joined the list of public figures who have received their first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. According to Patrick Faber, he took it in hopes that he would be able to help quell any and all skepticism surrounding the vaccine.
Hon Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition
"They contacted me to do the press because of course there are some people who are skeptical of course they see me as the Leader of the Opposition doing this as kind of encouragement for those who may be feeling a big skeptical, I believe that's the reason. But I do qualify in several aspects here, as a member of the national assembly and also as a teacher, remember that's my profession. But that's not what it's about it's about encouraging those who are at this time able and qualify to get the vaccine to come and get the vaccine because the ultimate goal is to vaccinate every single Belizean who can get the vaccine."
Faber's process went smoothly and took about 20 minutes. He said he didn't even feel the sharp jab of the needle and experiences no side effects.
Hon Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition
"So far I'm feeling great, it wasn't anything painful, somebody gave me a little hint that I should take the Tylenol before getting the shot so I took the Tylenol about half hour ago, so far it's a pain free process, it's something that I encourage people to do."
But was he concerned at all before getting the jab? He said not at all.
Hon Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition
"I have looked at it myself, I've studied what's happening in other areas of the world where a ban has made on it and while I'm not a medical doctor I've looked at how many deaths they have actually - well, the facts will show that even those deaths they think are related may not be related so the benefits of vaccinating this significant amount of our population if not all far outweighs any kinds of issues that they're having and for us who can't be picky about what type vaccine we use given the fact that most of it is donated I think this is the best way forward and so I encourage people to come."
And Faber also said that the vaccine rollout program has the approval stamp of the Opposition Party.
Hon Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition
"We have discussed this matter in our shadow Cabinet as recent as yesterday and I've always said that when it is that we can agree at something the government is doing is good for Belize, they can count on us and the vaccination initiative is one such initiative. We absolutely associate ourselves with it and we encourage members of our party, the UDP, our senior citizens especially and those who could be effected to come out and get their vaccination if you're qualifying at this time I think they're at tier 2 please come and get your vaccination and help us t get rid of COVID 19 especially here in Belize to get things back to normal as normal as we can get back to."
The drive to vaccinate teachers continues but the Ministry Of Health Staff a the vaccine enters is asking teachers to bring a photocopy of their teachers licence or a letter from the school as proof that they are indeed teachers because they have no other way to confirm.
