PM admits that Jamaica’s ‘low trust environment’ helps to fuel vaccine hesitancy
/ Our Today
administrator
The low trust environment in Jamaica is one of the major factors driving vaccine hesitancy in the country, according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
Holness, made the statement as he addressed a question at a press conference on Thursday (August 19).
In addition to driving vaccine hesitancy, Holness said the low trust environment, which characterizes the society, also makes it more difficult to implement policy more generally.
“I’m the first to say and, I’ve said it in my public presentations in parliament and other places that there is a low trust environment in Jamaica,” Holness said.
“Low trust, that’s just the reality, which makes it very difficult to implement public policy. Because in a low trust environment, you have to depend on enforcement, rather than people complying,” he added.
According to Holness, his administration has taken several steps to build up social trust, citing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability.
Holness went on to explain that there were two distinct sub groups within the vaccine hesitant grouping, one that will be persuaded by marketing and those that would remain reluctant irrespective.
“So you have an element of the population that is hesitant. They are in two minds, they will probably take it; the more information they get, the more minister puts out ads. And every time I get in front of a mic, I speak about taking the vaccine, I am confident that for those persons who are sceptical, who are unsure, but reasonable minded, that our reasoning with them will work,” said Holness.
There is however, a very hardened element of our society that is absolutely reluctant and determined not to take vaccines. And I’ve come to that conclusion because of some interactions that I’ve had with people who I expect to know better,” added Holness
Admittedly, Holness noted that the environment in Jamaica would not change overnight in such a way that citizens will simply do things because he says they should.
Nonetheless Holness said he was committed to staying the course and would continue to drive home the message regarding the importance of taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
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