More Than 100 Doctors Urge Public To Take The Jab

More than 100 local doctors have signed on to an open letter urging residents to take the jab.

The letter, sent out last week, now has 102 signatures.

Dr Annie Pinto, an anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist said: “We have rallied together because we believe that there truly is strength in numbers. It is painful for us to say many of these deaths, these devastating losses, were entirely preventable and unnecessary. And it is both disheartening and frightening to see unvaccinated young, otherwise healthy people get really ill. Only as more members of our community get vaccinated, will we have a real chance at beating COVID-19 and getting ourselves through this pandemic.”

Bermudian GP, Dr Laura Murphy, added: “We know there are many of you who are still uncomfortable about getting the shot, its safety, and its long-term effects – and to those we say, please talk to us. We will tell you that the vaccine is not only safe, but highly effective. We all had the vaccine, and our families have as well. While there is risk in any and everything, these vaccines are safe, with few side effects. They are the most monitored vaccine in history.

“Without the vaccine, you are much more likely to become ill and die or suffer severe, long-term consequences from infection than you are to experience side effects. Furthermore, getting it reduces the risk of new variants penetrating our community.”

Dr Murphy stated: “Whatever your reason for hesitation, we urge you to speak to your doctor. This outbreak has claimed another 28 lives in September alone. It’s not too late to get vaccinated. Vaccines save lives.”

To learn more, visit the Ministry of Health’s vaccine clinic at The Hamilton Princess on Sunday, October 4, from 10am to 3pm. Dr Hannah Murray and pediatrician, Dr Sylvanus Nawab, will be on site to answer any questions,” a spokesperson said.

Those wishing to get the shot can register online at www.gov.bm/vaccines, email vaccines@gov.bm or call the Hotline on 444-2498. Walk-ins are also welcome.

The full letter:

Dear Bermuda,

We are your healthcare workers. We are your physicians, nurses, dentists, therapists, counselors, technicians and frontline workers.

We are also your neighbors, your friends, and your relatives. We are your loved ones, and you are ours. We have worked, played, laughed and cried together. We all share the love for this beautiful island we all call Home, and the dream of a safe and COVID-free world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected all of our lives. Our hearts are breaking as we witness the fallout from the effects of the pandemic on our community. Our hearts and minds are heavy. We are tired, worried, scared, not only for ourselves, but for our patients, many of whom are facing the biggest challenge of their lives. We are holding the worry of those who are sick and the sorrow of those who have already lost a loved one. We have lost patients we have treated for decades, who had shared with us not only their medical issues but the details that make up the fabric of their lives. We have seen our patients’ excitement as they discuss their upcoming wedding day, the birth of their first child and seeing that child graduate university. And in the past 18 months, we have lost 45 of those patients who we came to know and love. We have had to break the news to their families that they’ve lost a beloved mother, father, sister, brother or child. We are all someone’s child. And we don’t want to have to hold anyone else as they weep for their loss.

We carry the worry, not only for our acute COVID-19 patients, but for all the patients with any other existing health issues, whose care has been delayed due to this pandemic.

You trust us with your lives and the lives of your loved ones every day – for which we are honoured and thankful. Using that same trust, please, get vaccinated. We ask this from the bottom of our hearts. We ask this with all the earnestness we have from dedicating our lives to keeping you safe and well to the best of our abilities.

We are tired, but we will never stop working. Through burnout, through our own sorrow, we will never stop working for you. But the work would be more manageable to us and less taxing on the system if we can prevent too many people from getting seriously ill. And we can.

We have studied the available data. We have seen the benefits of vaccination with our own eyes.

The COVID-19 vaccines are well tested, and highly effective in preventing deadly disease. The risks of vaccination are significantly lower than the risk posed by getting ill from COVID-19. It is the best tool we have to survive this pandemic, not only as individuals but as a community.

And yes, continue masking, and social distancing, even if you are vaccinated. The Delta variant is highly contagious.

If you develop any symptoms, please isolate yourself, stay at home and contact your GP. Avoid going to our overwhelmed emergency room, unless you are in a life-threatening situation.

You have trusted us with every aspect of your health. Please, trust us with this as well. We are not asking you to do anything that we ourselves have not already done. For your sake and for the sake of us all, please get vaccinated.

Signed,