Neurosurgeon sounds alarm on COVID-19 vaccines

Prominent neurosurgeon Dr Roger Hunter has sparked concerns by linking COVID-19 vaccines to several unexplained deaths and urging Jamaicans to reconsider taking the vaccines that were introduced to combat the novel coronavirus.

Hunter, who had previously warned the public to avoid the vaccines, also pointed to hypertension, stroke, and brain tumours as major causes of sudden health crises.

"We must address the COVID-19 vaccines, especially when so many people, including doctors, are collapsing and dying. These were young, healthy individuals who simply dropped dead. We're seeing things we don't normally see," he told THE STAR in an interview yesterday.

As at May 10, 2024, a total of 1,534,738 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Jamaica, the Ministry of Health and Wellness said.

But the doctor said that the vaccines are not the only culprit to be blamed for unexplained deaths and strokes.

"The vaccines can be dangerous, but diabetes and hypertension remain the top killers. Most people who took the vaccine are OK, but it hasn't even been 10 years, so I can't say if they'll still be okay then. They may not die from the vaccine, but they could from diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or stress. The vaccine can create blood clots in some people, and that can kill them. COVID was never among our top five killer diseases, but I'd advise those who took the vaccine not to get any more."

Meanwhile, Hunter told THE STAR that Jamaicans should not panic about the likely impact COVID-19 vaccines may have on their bodies. He said that illnesses such as uncontrolled high blood pressure are way more dangerous.

"We need to be mindful of what we eat and drink and stay calm. If you're going to worry about the vaccine but overlook hypertension or diabetes, you're missing the real issue. Up to now, neither COVID nor the vaccine has been our number one killer. The original problem--diabetes and hypertension--was always there, and that's the elephant in the room."

The World Health Organization in 2022 said that one in three Jamaicans live with high blood pressure or hypertension and that and 80 per cent of all deaths in the country are due to non-communicable diseases.

An estimated 236,000 or nine per cent of the country's population have diabetes, and only 106,000 of these persons, or 45 per cent, are aware of their status.

Approximately 679,000, or a quarter of all Jamaicans, have hypertension, with only about 54 per cent or 374,000 being aware that they have the condition, which is one of the leading causes of stroke.