President and  Health Minister condemn “vaccine terrorism”

The Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre,   closely followed by President Cortizo has condemned “vaccine terrorism”. Sucre said on Thursday, September 29, “If you don’t want the vaccine [against Covid-19] don’t take it but you cannot attack or insult those who do agree with it.”  He was referring to the criticisms and legal measures that have been taken against doctors Eduardo Ortega-Barría , Xavier Sáez-Llorens, and Julio Sandoval.

Sucre made it clear that the Government is not forcing anyone to be vaccinated since “we have been respectful of each other’s decision.” However, if [the anti-vaxers] ask to be respected, they must also respect them, Sucre said.

“We are not going to allow misinformation or lie to cause terror among those who want to vaccinate,” he said. “We cannot support vaccine terrorism.”

Sucre said that although he cannot interfere with the actions of the Public Ministry, in his opinion there is no place for any type of complaint against the scientists and authorities that support the anti-covid vaccine.

“I know the efforts of doctors and scientists who feel threatened, I know their work […] Doctor Ortega does not deserve to be in what he is, but this is a democratic country,” said President Laurentino Cortizo when pronouncing on the issue.

For Cortizo, this issue that has occurred “is unnecessary.” “The vaccine works, we don’t get our heads mixed up. Getting vaccinated is the smart thing to do and it’s what you have to do, “he added and. announced that 70% of Panamanians had been vaccinated.

The legal proceedings were started by Dr  Marta Roa who was roundly criticized after posting a video on social networks recommending against the vaccine although she had been vaccinated herself because of her work as a doctor.

Thirty medical associations have denounced the move.