STUCK WITH ASTRAZENECA: Health official says Bahamas “unlikely” to procure different vaccines anytime soon

Archer: Bahamas fortunate to have received vaccines through COVAX Facility NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas is not likely to receive any other vaccine besides AstraZeneca, at least for the time being, according to Chairman of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Committee’s Logistics and Regulatory Sub-Committee Dr Gina Archer. Archer, who also serves as head pharmacist in […]

JOB OR JAB?: Minnis skirts forced vaccination issue while Davis says govt cannot intervene

PM maintains vaccines are voluntary  PLP leader urges workers to get vaccine NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As several employers in the country seek to make it mandatory for employees to get vaccinated, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday reiterated the government’s position, indicating that the coronavirus jab is not mandatory. In recent weeks, as vaccinations in […]

INOCULATION BONUS: Vaccine committee reviewing eased travel restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee is reviewing options for a new travel regime that could see travel requirements for fully vaccinated individuals in The Bahamas eased, according to committee Chairperson Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis. “The competent authority will announce the various revisions or changes to the policy for travel, but if you […]

COVAX VACCINE TRANCHE SPLIT: Another 33,000 doses by end of May

Nearly 22,000 vaccine doses administered NASSAU, BAHAMAS — National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Chairperson Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis revealed yesterday that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVAX Facility will deliver another 33,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of May. The government secured an allocation of 100,800 vaccine doses by making a […]

BACK IN ACTION: COVID-19 vaccinations resume on New Providence

National vaccine committee to hold press conference on rollout at 3pm tomorrow NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Following a temporary pause over the weekend, COVID-19 vaccinations on New Providence are resuming this week with two additional centers, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) announced yesterday. “Two new community COVID-19 vaccination sites have been added to service […]

BEST BEHAVIOR: PM cautions Easter activities and cases will guide future restrictions

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday that while health officials were not minded to recommend increased restrictions ahead of the Easter holiday period, despite an increase of cases on certain islands, an assessment will be made the following week to determine if further restrictions will be necessary. He made the statement […]

ACHES, CHILLS, PAINS: Vaccine aftereffects normal, says former health minister

“Some people have no aftereffects at all; others have to take the day off after immunization” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the national COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, stakeholders indicate that while there have been individuals reporting some aftereffects, there have been no major adverse effects identified to date. More than 7,000 people have been vaccinated on […]

COVID vaccines rolled out on Eleuthera; further expansion set for next week

Teachers, persons with disabilities and hospitality workers become eligible for vaccination on April 7 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the government expands its vaccination programme, doses of Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have begun to be administered on Eleuthera. Vaccinations will continue on the island through Thursday beginning with healthcare workers, residents over 60 and staff of […]

LIGHT ON THE HORIZON?: Health minister says herd immunity could occur by summer

Wells concerned about vaccine hoarding among other countries NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Renward Wells suggested yesterday that The Bahamas could reach herd immunity with COVID-19 once the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations and supplies hold. Herd immunity thresholds for the virus stand between 70 and 80 percent, though these remain estimates. Outside the Churchill […]

Vaccinations begin on Grand Bahama

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS — Grand Bahama Health Services officially rolled out the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Program Sunday, inoculating 50 people at the launch event. The national initiative was launched in partnership with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), which donated the use of the Susan J Wallace Community Centre, and PharmaChem Technologies G B Ltd […]

LENDING A HAND: Doctor’s Hospital joins COVID-19 vaccination effort

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As Doctor’s Hospital joins the vaccination rollout effort, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Charles Sealy noted that healthcare workers can register for appointments and receive the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine at its main location on Shirley Street. “The government of The Bahamas has taken the responsibility to identify what vaccines it will render […]

THE SHOW MUST GO ON: WHO/PAHO urge continued use of AstraZeneca vaccine in Americas based on assessments

“There are no indications as to AstraZeneca vaccine issues in our region” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While there is an ongoing investigation into the use of two batches of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines in Europe, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has insisted on the continued use of the vaccine in the Americas. Several European Union (EU) […]

BOTTLENECK: Only 2 manufacturers dispatching millions of COVAX vaccines but PAHO aiming for April 7 delivery

COVAX Facility secures over 100 million doses of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine through 2021 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Dr Carissa F Etienne yesterday defended the sluggish delivery of COVAX vaccines to Caribbean countries, insisting that the organization hopes every country in the program will receive its first shipment before […]

IT’S NOT A COMPETITION: Focus should remain on getting vaccine program right, says Chamber of Commerce

Jamaica becomes first country in Caribbean to receive COVAX Facility vaccine allotment NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC) Chairperson Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson said yesterday it is not a “competition” for The Bahamas to access COVID vaccines, as the focus should remain on “getting it right”. This notwithstanding other countries in the […]