PETERS: Government needs to provide a more convincing argument to vaccinate

One in five eligible people in my home has received their first dose.

That’s absurd. It’s lower than Australia.

It’s more than a little concerning because my parents, my sister and brother-in-law and my 95-year-old grandmother still live in Winkler.

Thankfully, they are all on the same page when it comes to vaccines. They are part of the one-in-five.

Vaccines are a form of protection.

They’re already proving to be extremely effective in preventing people from getting infected with this virus or getting extremely ill if they are infected.

This week, the Government of B.C. launched a big push to get more people vaccinated, even though this province has exceeded 80 per cent uptake for single doses and 60 per cent for both doses. That second total will continue growing as the age-based program catches younger people up.

The government will offer more mobile options for those who couldn’t get themselves to clinic, and encourage walk-ins for those who couldn’t be bothered to make an appointment.

There is good reason for skepticism that these strategies will work, unfortunately.

People have had plenty of opportunity and access to the vaccine, so if they don’t already have it, it’s likely they have decided not to get it. Period.

It’s the same story back home in the RM of Stanley.

Access has been readily available, but more than 75 per cent of residents there have simply decided not to get vaccinated.

If we give people freedom to choose, we have to accept some of them will not make the wisest choices.

That’s why, in addition to better access to vaccines, the government would best be advised to do a more comprehensive job explaining why vaccination is the wisest choice.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by James Peters

PETERS: Government needs to provide a more convincing argument to vaccinate

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