Only one in four people in Latin America and the Caribbean fully vaccinated against COVID, PAHO reports

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]