Disagreement in Panama over effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – An intense debate on the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccines is taking place today in Panama among doctors and others, which forced a pronouncement from the Minister of Health Luis Francisco Sucre.

The minister asked those who are not in favor of immunization to respect the right of those who believe in it and have decided to receive it because ‘spreading unfounded fear’ is not correct, especially in such a sensitive issue as the Covid-19 pandemic.

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‘We see people who are against the vaccine, and that is acceptable, as long as they do not say things that are not true. We respect everyone’s opinion, but we cannot put unfounded fear,’ he reiterated.

The head of the office explained that they could not take legal action against a person who is not in favor of the vaccine. Still, the General Directorate of Public Health has the responsibility to carry out the investigations, and if it is proven that there is misinformation, they will take the necessary measures.

Last week, the infectologist Xavier Sáenz-Llorens denounced threats for the teaching work he does on the vaccine through different media, in addition, doctors Eduardo Ortega and Julio Sandoval face a criminal charge for a debate on the subject with a colleague in social networks.

Sáenz-Llorens explained to journalists that, given the refusal of many adults to receive the immunization, it is necessary to do so with infants, after their approval, which would increase the proportion of the immune population to 85 or 90 percent, with which the pandemic could be controlled.

MANY COUNTRIES ARE LIMITING COVID-19 VACCINES USE

Many people are confused about the mixed guidance when it comes to Covid-19 vaccines and safety concerns; the people of Panama are not alone.

While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is marketing widespread use of the emergency-use vaccines in the U.S. for both old and young alike, many other countries are limiting Covid-19 vaccine use.

Health officials worldwide are giving varying advice on safety issues as Covid-19 vaccines are given to more people, and more information can be collected.

In the U.K., some scientists analyzed adverse event reports and called upon the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to stop the Covid-19 vaccines as “not safe for human use” due to reports of issues with bleeding/clotting, pain, immune system, neurological, loss of sight/hearing/smell/speech, and questions about impact in pregnant women.

A petition of scientists led by Linda Wastila, Professor, Pharmaceutical Health Services Research University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, calls for Covid-19 vaccines to be disapproved.

Fifty-seven authors from 17 countries have signed an endorsement urging that Covid-19 vaccinations be stopped unless new safety mechanisms are immediately implemented.

The authors include Dr. Peter McCullough, cardiologist and former Vice Chief of Medicine at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He has called for a halt to vaccinating 30-year olds due to “no clinical benefit” and safety concerns. [McCullough is currently Senior Professor of Internal Medicine at the Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center.]