Vaccine Passports Ignite Hostilities Across Ontario, Including Oxford County

Wednesday, 29 September 2021 at 13:34

Local Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joyce Lock says stigma is not the right way to approach this issue when it comes to vaccinations.

It has been exactly one week since the Province implemented vaccine passports.

The new measures has ignited hostilities amongst the public and local business owners are being put in the middle of it. Some businesses have even refused to follow the system.

We are also seeing a lot of division on social media right now, including the Heart FM Facebook page on any article regarding vaccines. Local Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joyce Lock says stigma is not the right way to approach this issue.

"People in general try to make the best decision for their own health and the health of their loved ones. I think it is better for all of us to try and understand the issues for those people who are hesitant with the vaccine and to try and provide trustworthy and credible information."

Dr. Lock explains what you should do if you have someone in your family, work or life, who has concerns with the vaccine.

"I encourage you to recommend them to legitimate resources of information that are available at the Health Unit, the WHO and the Province. There is a lot of misinformation out there, some of it tends to look highly credible and can easily raise concerns. I think it is incumbent on all of us to be tolerant, not to stigmatize and continue to drive people to the sources of information that is the most valid."

Dr. Lock also wants people to understand, they never thought vaccines would eliminate COVID-19.

"The vaccines prevent serious illness, they prevent hospitalization, so they have turned a lethal virus into more our seasonal viruses. So yes, you might still get sick, but in general, you will not be as seriously ill, you will not be as ill for as long a time and you will not be able to spread it for as long as you would without the vaccine. So it keeps you less sick and it keeps your family less at risk from getting it from you."