Friday, July 16, 2021
IT would be easy to overreact to the news that people can no longer get the first of their COVID-19 jabs as supplies run low.
Let us be clear, it is not a good thing that we have to resort to this measure, not at all, but it is a temporary situation.
The sooner it can be resolved the better, and the government does need to continue to make progress in sourcing vaccines if we are to hit our targets of protecting the population.
That said, people have had plenty of opportunity by now to register for their first jab – and for anyone concerned they are missing out, we hope they will be first in the line to make sure they get that vaccination once the next delivery arrives.
In one way, of course, it is a good sign so many people are wanting to get the shots. It has been heartening to see the pictures in The Tribune this week of people lining up for their shots outside Loyola Hall as the vaccination programme continues.
And with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis continuing to tell people that the only way out of the pandemic is through vaccination, the more joining that line for their shots, the better.
The Bahamas has received 67,200 doses so far, with the remaining 33,600 as part of our agreement from the COVAX facility due to arrive at the end of this month. Add to that 20,000 doses given to us by the Indian government and that gives us a good start on our vaccination programme.
That’s just what it is, though – a start, and we’ll need more than that if we hope to reach herd immunity. Bear in mind with the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine that each person needs two jabs, so that total of 120,800 doses fully vaccinates 60,400 people.
For now, the existing supply will be used to continue with the second jabs of those who have already had their first.
That current supply should last until July 27, according to Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, with the next wave of vaccines due to arrive on July 26.
Any delay might be even more short-lived anyway. Health Minister Renward Wells has said that he hopes to have a date on when the Pfizer vaccine will arrive in the country by today. The Bahamas has been offered 57,330 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The sooner those doses can arrive, the better
So if you’re panicking that you might miss out on the vaccine, make sure as soon as it’s available that you book your jab.
We know there are more vaccines coming right now – but don’t get caught out if this next wave of supply starts to run short before any new deliveries are confirmed.
And in the meantime, stay masked, stay distant, and stay healthy.
Comments
birdiestrachan says...
Why would the PM tell the people the way out of the pandemic is to be vaccinated. when
he must have known there is no vaccine available
It makes no sense. he never ever really makes sense so it is alright I guess...
Posted 17 July 2021, 12:38 p.m. Suggest removal
baclarke says...
It's all about fear mongering, coercive tactics, and lack of knowledge. Bully and coerce persons to take the vaccine by taking away the privileges of the unvaccinated, telling them they will die if the don't take it, and convincing the Bahamian people that they are the only ones spreading the virus. This time, in Israel, one of the most vaccinated countries in the world and an example we should watch and take notes from, they understand that even vaccinated person are carrying the virus. They are requiring the testing of all travelling persons, vaccinated and unvaccinated, a quarantine for some countries, and completely blocking others. This time, we don't even have enough to vaccinate our entire population and the PM still thinks there is no need to test those who are vaccinated. What a clown...
Posted 17 July 2021, 4:24 p.m. Suggest removal
observer2 says...
Good points baclarke.
Everyone arriving into the country should have at least a negative antigen test until 70% of our population are vaccinated.
The Delta variant is being carried by asymptotic vacinnated ppl and spreads quickly through the 85% of our population which are not vaccinated at all.
Posted 18 July 2021, 9:14 a.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
exactly. Renward Wells will kill us all. ... because vaccinated people dying from the delta variant too
Posted 18 July 2021, 12:34 p.m. Suggest removal
whogothere says...
well he might kill 0.15% the other 99.85% will somehow survive ;)
Posted 18 July 2021, 11:08 p.m. Suggest removal
carltonr61 says...
So if the remaining 85% get vaccinated also that would be 85% more people spreading the virus and know. Unvaccinated is the new hysteria being propagated by CDC and the other privately paid alphabet letters
minions. In the meantime the international travel industry of whole nations, planes, hotels, boats and trains are just fed up. Some nation states like Seychelles islands and Israel got to 85% vaccinated only to find that into seven months the vaccinated are sick. Who are we to deduce logic from. Once the panic narrative is questioned it is negatively labeled as heinous misinformation.
Posted 18 July 2021, 2:29 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
At one point the statement ‘Presently the vaccines are for Bahamians and legal residents only,’. But there is a sizable population of illegal residents or undocumented individuals here. And many come from countries of high corona cases. And many move freely among the general population. To try to vaccinate them will bring an outcry from persons waiting to be vaccinated amongst a shortage of vaccines. To attempt to round them up and attempt to deport them will create even more challenging problems. What then?
Posted 19 July 2021, 6:27 a.m. Suggest removal
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