Nurses Association urges restraint regarding mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers

9:22 pm, Mon September 6, 2021

President of the Nurses Association of Jamaica Patsy Edwards Henry

The Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) is urging the government to be careful, following news that it's actively considering mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers.

NAJ President Patsy Edwards Henry told Radio Jamaica News that the impression is being given that the members will have no choice in the matter.

Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte disclosed on Friday that the issue of mandatory vaccination cannot be ruled out.

The NAJ President acknowledged that she understood the reasons for the position taken but cautioned that there are implications arising from this approach, "because when you say 'mandatory' it means you have to do it, whether you want to do it or not, and I would want to believe that this interferes with one's human rights, because there has always been the right to choose."

Mrs Edwards Henry argued as well that there are other legal issues which will have to be confronted if the government proceeds with mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers.

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