A teacher who has a history of blood clots says that health officials have told her that her condition is not one for which she can be exempted from taking a COVID-19 vaccine.
“I suffer from blood clots, so because of that being a side effect of the vaccine, I sought medical exemption,” the educator, who teaches Grade 2 at the Clare Valley Government School told iWitness News in Kingstown on Friday.
She was among teachers and other members of the public, including public sector workers who were fired because of their refusal to take the jab, who came out on the picket line in response to a call by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union on Friday.
“I just got back a letter on Monday that is telling me that my blood clots don’t fit the criteria for medical exemption, even though they don’t know the cause of me getting the blood clots,” the teacher said.
She read the relevant part of the letter, which says:
“I wish to inform you that the medical condition for which the exemption is sought does not fall under any of the conditions listed for which the exemption may be considered and/or granted. Therefore, you are required to comply with Rule 5 of the Statutory Rule and Orders.”
Rule 5 gave all “frontline” workers for which COVID-19 was mandated, until Dec. 3 to take at least one dose of the vaccine in order to keep their jobs.
However, the teacher told iWitness News that she will not take the vaccine.
“God will prove. I have been here before,” she said, regarding the fact that she could lose her job because of her decision not to take the vaccine.
“I have been without a job and not one day did I starve, did not get anything to eat, was not able to send my children to school. So I am holding on to God because he has been faithful to me. So, that is my ground. And I am holding on there. I am standing firm. I am not changing.”
The Ministry of Education has repeatedly said that unvaccinated teachers should not enter school campuses.
However, the teacher said that she continued to report to duty and did so up to last Thursday — the day before the protest.
She said that she was able to teach her students and no one attempted to prevent her from doing so.
I always thought blood clots were very painful diseases. What type of blood clot does she have? Is she getting treatment for it? Who paying for the medical bills? That is a serious disease! How many people applied for vaccine exemption; how many got exemption? The stupidest thing PM has done is not testing every where before you go and force people to do what he want. PM want to take a short cut at other people’s expense. Mexican standoff: A three-way no win gun fight. PM probably thinks you all are terrorists.
Part of the medical exemption forms says you can get a temporary exemption if you have a condition of which they don’t know the cause. That time is for relevant tests to be done to figure out said cause of your pre existing condition (s)‼️ I’m at a loss‼️ If they don’t know the cause of her clots how can she not be granted an exemption or a temporary exemption ⁉️
Lady, Do not take that vaccine.Hold on to Jesus he will take care of you. Keep praying and trusting he promised he will never leave us or forsake us.If they send you home open a pre school even it means starting something small from your house.Jesus these people are harsh.
I believe her concern is genuine but I am shocked by two things. 1) – if she is concerned about the 0.0004% risk of blood clots with Astra Zeneca, is she not absolutely terrified about the risk of blood clots with COVID, which is more than 41,000 times more likely at 16.5%? 2) – has her health care provider not steered her away from Astra Zeneca, which carries a very low risk of blood clots and toward another brand of vaccine (such as Pfizer) which is not associated with any risk of blood clots?
Where is the balance in this story, Kenton? Or in your coverage of the recent teachers’ protests overall? For example, where is the coverage of the perspective and rationale of those denying exemptions? There are widely known and easily accessible facts about which of the COVID vaccines carry a risk of blood clots and which don’t. There is also well-known and easily accessible facts about the risk of blood clots for someone who gets COVID. These perspectives, rationale and facts provide very important context for stories like this, showing the very valid reasons why this woman was not granted an exemption.
She can take one that has not been associated with clots like the Pfizer or the Sputnik.