The Speaker's comments came during the first virtual 10th Sitting of the 3rd Session of the 4th House of Assembly on July 29, 2021, during Announcements to the HoA.

Hon Willock said while he has listened keenly to the national debate about being vaccinated or not, he revealed that his view is that vaccination is the ultimate protection against the COVID-19 virus.

“I speak here for myself to say, I fully support vaccination, as while it cannot prevent you from getting COVID-19, all the research and statistics have proven in a compelling way, that those who are vaccinated have an over 90% chance of surviving the deadly disease.”

Hon Julian Willock, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, has said while he has listened keenly to the national debate about being vaccinated or not, he revealed that his view is that vaccination is the ultimate protection against the COVID-19 virus.

View on vaccination is 'personal' - Hon Willock

While expressing condolences to those who lost loved ones as a result of the virus, Hon Willock said further that his view is that if for medical or religious reasons one cannot take the vaccine, that decision must be respected.

“However, I strongly believe, taking the COVID-19 vaccination should be mandatory for all others,” he said.

The Speaker reiterated that his position on mandatory vaccination is personal and is not the view nor policy of the HoA or the Government of the day.

“Two exceptions; medical or religious reasons. If one does not fall in any of those two categories, it is my humble position that taking the vaccine should be mandatory,” Hon Willock reiterated.