Prime Minister Andrew Holness is appealing to religious leaders to refrain from imposing their stance on the COVID vaccine on their congregants; instead, they should allow persons to exercise their personal choice.

He was reacting to reports that some religious groups are against vaccination and some church members have expressed fear of betraying their church leader or their faith, by taking the vaccine.

Mr. Holness encouraged religious leaders not to mislead their flock.

The Prime Minister said religious leaders should respect the rights of other people to decide for themselves.

Mr. Holness encouraged people to get accurate, credible information on vaccines.

Meantime,  the  Prime minister has acknowledged that the stress of dealing with the COVID pandemic may have influenced how some people behave, resulting in what he called bizarre events in recent days.

He was speaking with journalists Thursday, while on his  COVID vaccination tour,  in Northern Clarendon.

Mr. Holness pointed to efforts to address the physiological effects of the pandemic.