Opposition Leader Vaccinated Against COVID-19

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program continued today at various stations across the country, including the S.J.C. gymnasium where the leader of the United Democratic Party was inoculated. This morning, Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber showed up to get his shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine.  Not only was he eligible to get a jab, the move was made primarily to convince others that the vaccine is safe and worth getting. It is one of few initiatives thus far that the opposition has supported, given the severity of the pandemic. We caught up with him after he received his first injection.

Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition

“So far I’m feeling great.  It wasn’t anything painful.  Somebody gave me a little hint that I should take my Tylenol before taking the shot, so I took the Tylenol about half hour ago and so far it’s a pain free process.  It’s something that I encourage people to do.”

Reporter

“You’re taking the vaccine as a member of the National Assembly?”

Patrick Faber

Patrick Faber

“Well what happened was that they contacted me to do the press because of course there are some people who are skeptical and of course they see me as the Leader of the Opposition doing this as a kind of encouragement for those who may be feeling a bit skeptical.  I believe that’s the reason.”

Reporter

“Sir, as opposition leader, are you able to say that you align yourself with government’s vaccination rollout program?”

Patrick Faber

“Absolutely.  We have discussed this matter in fact in our shadow cabinet as recent as yesterday and I’ve always said that when it is that we can agree that something the government is doing is good for Belize that they can count on us and the vaccination initiative is one such initiative.”