Health officials in Windsor-Essex have come together to collectively condemn anti-vaccination protests at a local physician's office.
Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) released a statement Thursday afternoon on behalf of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and Essex County Medical Society in response to recent anti-vaxx demonstrations near a local paediatrician's office located at 2285 Howard Avenue.
"Our physician and administrative leaders from the Essex County Medical Society, Windsor Regional Hospital and Windsor-Essex County Health Unit stand united in their condemnation in the strongest possible terms the anti-vaccination protests that have taken place this week outside Dr. Huma Kazmie’s office in Windsor," a release from WRH read. "Dr. Kazmie should be celebrated for her contributions to the care for our community’s children."
Last fall, Dr. Kazmie wrote a letter to the Windsor Star in which she expressed her opinion regarding the unvaccinated. She said she felt that those who refuse a vaccine should not be allowed into schools or recreational facilities.
"Refusing the vaccine is not matter of freedom of choice, it is matter of life and death that can put everyone’s health and life at risk," Kazmie wrote in her letter that was featured in the Windsor Star.
WRH said that while it respects the public's right to peaceful protest, those protests should not obstruct access to medical care.
"Attempting to intimidate parents and children who have made a decision to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine is not appropriate," the statement from WRH continued. "As well, public discourse should not interfere with access to medical care children need to address other medical concerns."