Anti-vaccine group breaks into a hospital to force a minor out of Costa Rica

A group of people who oppose vaccination against covid-19 entered by force this Wednesday at a hospital in Costa Rica, apparently to try to remove a minor who is hospitalized, facts for which 6 people were arrested .

“This incident put at risk not only the security, medical and care staff of the hospital, but also the users and patients themselves. Costa Rica will come out of this pandemic with science, education and the correct collective actions, never with violence and conspiracy theories,” the president of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), Román Macaya, declared in a statement.

The events occurred at the San Vicente de Paúl hospital, in the city of Heredia, some 15 kilometers west of San José, where a group of people who reject vaccination presented themselves with the independent deputy Shirley Díaz, who, although she claims not to be anti-vaccines, usually supports these groups.

The Ministry of Security reported that four women with the surnames Ramírez, Corella, Reyes and Brenes, as well as two men with the surnames Villalobos and Ramírez, were arrested for resisting authority.

The CCSS announced that it will denounce the people involved in these events before the Public Ministry.

In videos that circulate on social networks, the deputy is seen with the protesters, and then these people forcefully enter the hospital, apparently to try to get a minor who is hospitalized.

The director of the medical center, Priscila Balmaceda, explained that the child was admitted for a respiratory pathology, so given the risk factors and the current epidemiological context, the treating doctor indicated the placement of the vaccine against covid-19 .

In Costa Rica, the Government decreed that the covid-19 vaccine is mandatory for minors, health personnel and teachers.

Balmaceda explained that the minor “was detected a situation that required the intervention of the social work service, which, associated with the refusal of the parents to vaccinate the child, led to requesting the criteria of the National Children’s Board.”

The official assured that prior to the violent events, she gave extensive assistance to the minor’s father, who was accompanied by deputy Shirley Díaz and a legal advisor, to explain the medical and administrative situation surrounding the case.

“In my capacity as deputy of the Republic, I was invited to participate in the convening of a group of fathers and mothers of families and their legal representatives due to the impediment of discharge from the hospital of a son, one of them, who remained hospitalized”, expressed the deputy Díaz in her social networks.

He also added “I deeply regret the violent acts that occurred, when the social worker refused to continue serving the father affected by the presence of his lawyer, which triggered reactions beyond my control.” (I)