1400+ registered for COVID vaccine, crowds overwhelm vaccination centres
More than 1,400 residents across the British Virgin Islands have already registered to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine since vaccination roll-out programme launched less than a week ago.
Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Ronald Georges shared that statistic with BVI News following reports of an overwhelming turn-out of persons for the vaccine on Wednesday.
Dr Georges said the majority of those individuals were not a part of the registered persons for Phase I of the programme, which is for essential and frontline workers.
“From the pictures, I saw the clinic was obviously mobbed by persons not included in the Phase I group and the staff would have been under immense pressure. From reports, they handled the situation well. As stated, it is incumbent on persons to respect the process and do their civic duty by allowing those designated to be at the head of the queue to be vaccinated first,” Dr Georges stated.
He added: “We are in Phase I of essential and frontline workers vaccination; after which we will move on to Phase II — those over 60 and with underlying conditions. Clearly, a large number of persons outside of these groups are very anxious to get vaccinated and presented at vaccination locations.”
As for the number persons who have been vaccinated in the territory so far, Dr Georges told BVI news, “it is over 200”.
He said the information will be entered into an electronic vaccination database on an ongoing basis. He said the Health Ministry, “should be able to provide regular reports on numbers shortly”.
Encouraging to see numbers interested in vaccine
In the meantime, the Acting CMO also said it was very encouraging to witness the large number of persons showing interest in taking the vaccine.
He, however, urged persons to ensure they utilise the appropriate measure to take the vaccine, which first entails registering then waiting for an appointment to get vaccinated.
“While persons may be on the fence as more and more persons do take the vaccine and others can see that they are actually no significant concerns, more persons will be accepting of vaccination … Persons are encouraged to exercise patience and proceed in an orderly manner and await to be scheduled in their respective phases as the vaccination centres are brought online,” Dr Georges stated.
Enough vaccines for all
The BVI has received 8,000 vials of vaccines so far and this is sufficient to inoculate 4,000 persons.
Dr Georges said territory is expected to receive even more vaccines “very soon”.
“We are very confident that given the donations from the UK, we should have sufficient vaccines to satisfy the demand and persons should not be concerned that they will be left out. It is incumbent on all of us to be civil about this and respect the process which is designed to ensure that the vaccine does reach everyone according to priority,” he said.
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It is my understanding that the reason why the East End clinic opened it up to anyone was because the original group of phase 1 patients didn’t come! In my opinion if you have people that want to take it, and it’s available there and then, then it should be distributed.
Really positive to seem how many people came out in hopes to get it!
Unfortunately these people were not notified it was their time to come. Breakdown in communication.
The vaccine has been here for 2 weeks. Why is the roll out so slow!
Meanwhile Britain has vaccinated 17 million. They know
How to organise and we have a bunch of children running the place.
but you should register also
It is suspended.
when are you getting vaccinated? Promises made, promises broken…
and up to now the premier ain’t take his yet
The premier is ultimately responsible for his own health. You are responsible for your own.
You sound like a bully, the premier do not have to take it. I know I’m not and many persons in the community have chosen not too, 1,400 people is not much at all!
Very fat people, even young ones are the most likely to die of Covid…
Because the premier is afraid to take the vaccine. He should have been the first one to take the vaccine.
Well then he is a wise man… any and all people of colour should be afraid!
The clinic in East End were openly telling anyone who wanted to get the vaccine to walk in. When asked if it was just phase 1 people they said NO – ANYONE WAS WELCOME. To say that people ‘mobbed’ the clinic leaving the staff no choice is WRONG. The clinic had obviously not been given clear direction from those making the decisions.
You are absolutely correct . I heard about it and called. I was told it was for anyone on a ” first come / first served basis. Obviously , the word got around quickly and they were soon overwhelmed .
1400 signed up thats only around 5 % , lets get going, BVI needs to get the majority of population vaccinated before we can open up and have a economy again. Everyone needs to push the vaccination process.
You sound foolish, and selfishly evil minded!
Some one had to tell them go.
How did they know to go if it is not their turn. What is the purpose of registering then.
Good point, there are number of persons in the frontline that DO NOT want to take the vaccine for whatever reasons. They should not hold up the process for those of us who want to take it. As far as I am concerned if they are frontline then they must or lose their jobs.
We need to get our country open again and cannot afford this up and down nonsense. If you are frontline and dont want to take the vaccine which is your right to do so, then you’ve made a choice to get off the line.
THIS GOVERNMENT IS A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They knew since October/November that the vaccines were on the way and did all the photo op and foolishness at the Airport with NO PLAN IN PLACE. Then to add insult to injury the Premier, Speaker and others parading on camera like it’s a big joke, only for the Premier to refuse taking the shot. This feels like a bad dream.
The East End clinic was a total mess yesterday. It’s not actually that difficult to manage the process, but it was too much for the staff there. I hope the system improves or we will remain closed down and vulnerable.
I was one of those vaccinated yesterday. It’s easy, quick and painless. No side effects at all. All BVIslanders should be vaccinated as soon as possible.
Very disappointing to see our esteemed leader Fahie cowering away afraid.
Fahie is not your leader, you are always on these blogs talking him, the government and the people of the BVI down. Now suddenly he is esteemed? The fact that you took the vaccine gives many of us more reason not too.
Can’t even hide the whiteness like what respectable black person care bout a RUBBER DUCK FOH.
Try as they do, they just can’t hide themselves, their whiteness.
Need to begin calling them what they are, the lie people.
For centuries they have been fed andmade to believed the lie that they are white. Well, if they are white, what color is milk or cotton?
They are of a color, but it is not white, and it cannot even be defined.
Wonder if that could be the origin of so much hatred in them for Black people.
Are you retarded?
Because I can write English, do not assume.
LOLOL…. SOOO true!
Never talked the people of the BVI down. I am one of them.
You wish!
Now you are talking this ‘white man brain more intelligent’ propaganda. Spoken like a true narcissistic psychopath with a white supremacy complex.
Ok Ian.
Woosh feel that sarcasm go over your head
Yet Dr. Hesketh Vanterpool detailed a different perspective. I wouldn’t listen to you if life depended on it.
It has been over a week since the vaccine arrived, and 3 days for Phase 1 yet we are still in Phase 1.
This is criminal. Do not penalize the other groups primarily over 60+ because someone in Phase 1 has yet to make up their mind!
The positive people wouldn’t be drawn to this scandemic agenda
The organization of the vaccine program is typical BVI I am sorry to say. Yesterday was supposed to be for front line workers , but did they know that? In the event few of those turned up and word spread that anyone could go to the East end clinic so that opened vaccines were not wasted. What followed was chaos. Some did manage to get vaccinated but most of them were in the under 40 age groups. Some people were vaccinated at Peebles after the staff realized they were in the older and vulnerable groups.
The online application is the usual disaster. Badly thought out and doesn’t work.
Get a grip Mr Malone, get it organized. That’s your job, not endlessly spouting into microphones on the internet.
Send the Minister a whatsapp because that’s all he does all day, POST A SET OF FEARMONGERING F**KKKKKK!!!!!! HE needs to do his d**n job!
@understan that’s not completely true. Yes some front line workers don’t want to get the vaccine but the minister created the panic. The health department sent an email out telling everyone to come and get the shot. The minister of health has botched the rollout of the vaccine distribution and show be replaced because it’s clear he’s not leading.
If you received 8000 doses then you can give out 8000 first vaccines and wait for the next shipment to give out the second dose. This way a third of the population will be inoculated and you’ll be on your way to herd immunity and opening up the Territory. At the very least inoculate all the expats. Belongers are smart. They have Bush Tea. Lmfao
You people must be crazy since the vaccine is still in the lab rat mode. We are their lab rats can’t you people see how many victims worldwide have taken it and died due to bleeding brain and other onset of illnesses. Stay away from that mess Bill Gates even said this a way to depopulate the Black People. Why do you think Hon Fahie running from it.
Which ones do you have to be pontificating about this. ? Or are you just an ignorant loud mouth?
Where is your evidence that people have died from the vaccine?
Good news, my fellow Virgin Islanders!
The quicker this is administered, the sooner things can finally get back to some form of normalcy!
Awesome,awesome news!
The nurses need to show up on time and Stop showing up late every time,,, earliness will help,,,
Why is it airline workers are not on the priority list?
They are the first point of contact with incoming passengers, someone please help me out here because airline workers NEED to be made a priority as well.
“Overwhelm”…”mobbed”. Maybe look up the definition of these words before writing them next time. From what I understand there was an orderly queue and number taking. No pushing.
i.e. zero people were “overwhelmed” and no-one was “mobbed”.
Should be ‘No jab – No job. Front-line health workers should be given a 3 day window to get the vax then move on. it will be years at this rate before we are all protected.
You sound like Hitler. Too many psychopaths in this world. You all act like you were raised by forest animals, not humans!
There dam lie .lol 1400 take it .nice even number haha ..there do and say anything to deceived u to take it …cant stop laughing lol..let it had been stimulus check sharing the b*****d u would here were and how much who get …lol …them best there throw them s**t threw the bush..or u know wat the m**one is a big family so he can keep them for is own self interest. Like usual..
Where in the article did it say 1400 took the vaccine. 1400 registered online dummy
This Dr Georges said the majority of those individuals were not a part of the registered persons for Phase I of the programme, which is for essential and frontline workers. So his decision was to just begin pop-up vaccination in different places. Is he smart and bright or wa?? As far as i can see he is a confused chaotic individual who is totally disorganised. Shame on him.
Let see …
Since the vaccination arrived to the BVI,
200 people got the first shoot.
1400 signed up and crashed the site.
Population roughly 32K people….
do the math… by the time it will be your turn, you will need to take another vaccine and wait in line for everyone else … sad joke.