RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Google generated translation on the Virginia Department of Health’s website instructed Spanish-readers that the COVID-19 vaccine was “not vital.”
The Virginian Pilot first reported the difficulty on Monday after a member of the Virginia Vaccination Advisory Workgroup raised issues a few defective translation.
The interpretation in query was a part of VDH’s ‘Frequently Asked Questions‘ web page that translated “the vaccine isn’t required” to “la vacuna no es necesaria” — “the vaccine isn’t vital.”
Latinos in Virginia have been contracting COVID-19 at alarming rates throughout the pandemic.
Relying on a Spanish-reader’s interpretation this might outcome within the perception that the vaccine isn’t wanted in any respect, when actually it’s extremely really helpful by well being specialists to cut back one’s probabilities of contracting the virus.
VDH stands by the interpretation.
“Many Spanish audio system do learn this manner because it was supposed — specifically, to clarify the vaccine isn’t obligatory and subsequently won’t be compelled on anybody,” director of communications for VDH Maria Reppas instructed 8News Wednesday in an e mail.
The state’s well being division depends on Google Translate to supply the web site’s content material in over 90 languages. The instrument is out there on VDH’s web site.
When requested if the FAQ web page has been up to date, Reppas didn’t reply.
The interpretation now says: “La vacuna no será obligatoria para los virginianos y no existen sanciones legales por rechazarla, pero le recomendamos que la obtenga una vez que esté disponible” — “The vaccine won’t be obligatory for Virginians and there aren’t any authorized penalties for refusing it, however we advocate that you simply get it as soon as it’s accessible.”
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