Etienne: PAHO working to increase vaccine supplies WASHINGTON, DC — Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa F Etienne warned that 75 percent of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean has yet to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and reported that PAHO is accelerating its drive to expand vaccine access throughout the region. […]
Tag: vaccine
ORG says govt. should do everything in its power to allow citizenry to vote amidst COVID surge
Jamaica, U.S., U.K made provisions for COVID-exposed to vote in elections NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With less than 15 days till the 2021 General Elections and an ongoing increase in new COVID-19 infections, the government should do everything it can to facilitate access to voting for all eligible individuals, Organization for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) executive director […]
“IT’S PASSED NOW”: Health minister downplays possibility Nomination Day events could have been superspreaders
Wells acknowledges “potential” for COVID outbreaks where events had “breakdown in protocols” but says govt can manage PSA concerned about election/campaign gatherings amidst virus surge NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Despite the gathering of hundreds of politicians and political party supporters on Nomination Day on Friday, Health Minister Renward Wells said there is no concern the day […]
CHANGE OF PLANS: PSA revisits vaccine position amid record COVID surge; urges officers to get the jab
PSA unsure how many members’ deaths in the past few weeks have been related to COVID Chairman says even “losing one member is far too much” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police Staff Association (PSA) Executive Chairman Sonny Miller said yesterday that the association has changed its position on COVID-19 vaccinations and is now “pleading” with its […]
PFIZER DRIVES VACCINE UPTAKE: Young people show up in droves to take first dose of new vaccine option
34K doses of Johnson & Johnson arrived in Bahamas yesterday morning NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Rachel Outten, 13, exited the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium with a COVID-19 vaccination sticker after taking her first dose of Pfizer around 10.30am yesterday, joining scores of residents who lined up for the US-manufactured vaccine. “It went really well and they […]
STRONG RESPONSE: Pfizer vaccine appointments already booked out for first two days of rollout
“We urge people to take advantage of the supply and make an appointment” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Co-Chair Ed Fields said with the “strong interest” from the public with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, appointments for the general public rollout tomorrow and the following day have already been fully booked. Pfizer will […]
AGREE TO REWARD: Opposition welcomes “vaccine lotto” to incentivize vaccination uptake
US Embassy working with govt to introduce vaccine incentives PLP leader: If you are vaccinated, that is the reward NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis said yesterday that anything the government does to increase voluntary vaccination of the Bahamian populous, including monetary incentives or a vaccine lotto, would be welcomed by the opposition. […]
“THEY ALL WORK”: Health official says there’s no real difference in efficacy between different COVID vaccines
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — There is “no statistical difference” between the COVID-19 vaccines, according to Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Chief Pharmacist Dr Marvin Smith. Some Bahamians have expressed doubt and hesitancy towards AstraZeneca, viewing it as “substandard” compared to others such as Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson’s. Alluding to some vaccines having a higher efficacy […]
VACCINE LOTTO: Govt exploring private sector partnership to offer monetary vaccination incentives
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In an effort to encourage uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, Minister of Health Renward Wells said the government is considering a vaccine lotto that would offer monetary incentives to the newly vaccinated. “There is a lot of consideration; as a matter of fact, the National Vaccine Consultative Committee (NVCC) is looking at […]
A GENEROUS GIFT: Bahamas to receive 397,000 vaccine doses from United States
128,700 Pfizer doses to arrive in country today Pfizer vaccine available to 12 to 17-year-olds with consent of a parent or guardian NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced yesterday that The Bahamas will receive 397,0000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the United States government. Minnis made the announcement as he opened debate […]
PAHO will begin procuring COVID-19 vaccines to expand access in Latin America and the Caribbean
Organization launches “new opportunity” to help countries procure enough vaccines to control transmission WASHINGTON, DC — Taking action to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccines, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will use its Revolving Fund to help countries in Latin America and the Caribbean procure enough vaccines to control transmission, PAHO Director Carissa F […]
MAKING ROOM FOR THE ILL: PMH bed capacity increases to 131 amid rising COVID hospitalizations
COVID-19 positivity rate at 21 percent NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Renward Wells advised yesterday that The Bahamas has increased its bed capacity to 131 amidst growing cases of COVID-19 in the country. As he seconded a resolution in Parliament to extend the state of emergency and emergency orders to November 13, Wells noted […]
ONE-SHOT JABS ON THE WAY: 40K Johnson & Johnson doses to reach Bahamas by month’s end
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas is expected to receive some 40,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines by the end of August, said Health Minister Renward Wells yesterday. Speaking to reporters outside the House of Assembly, Wells noted that while negotiations are still ongoing to secure a large donation of Pfizer vaccines, the […]
DASH TO VAXX: More than 700 people flock to vaccination sites
Frustration mounts amid long wait times and limited appointments Vaccines received last week could be depleted by end of this week, says Symonette NASSAU, BAHAMAS — More than 700 hopeful vaxxers who were unable to make vaccination appointments waited at Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road for hours yesterday to receive their first jab. While appointments […]
SHOT IN THE ARM: Bahamas gets vaccine supply boost with donation from Caribbean neighbors
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas yesterday received 3,496 doses of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine as the result of a donation from the British Overseas Territories of Montserrat and Anguilla, with the assistance of United Kingdom High Commissioner Sarah Dickson. “The vaccines are a welcome addition to our current vaccine supplies and will be used to […]
CONTRARY TO BELIEF: PAHO rep maintains pandemic is not over for anyone, not even vaccinated
“The pandemic is not over for anybody until the pandemic is over for everybody” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The pandemic has not ended for fully vaccinated individuals, according to Pan America Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Dr Eldonna Boisson. When asked whether fully vaccinated individuals should no […]
UP TO THEM: Whether private schools mandate vaccinations is between institutions and parents, says Lloyd
Lloyd maintains govt not making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd said yesterday that any private school that may seek to make vaccinations mandatory for students must make that arrangement with parents and students. Lloyd was speaking to reporters outside Cabinet on the matter and insisted that his ministry continues […]