BVI News

First batch of COVID vaccines arrive in Cayman

Cayman Islands Premier, Alden McLaughlin and its Governor, Martyn Roper will be the first to take the COVID-19 shots when the territory starts administering the first batch of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines on Thursday.

The vaccines were supplied by the UK free of charge.

Cayman received 9,750 doses of the vaccine on Tuesday — enough to inoculate 4,875 people, The Cayman Compass reported.

While taking the vaccine is voluntary, Governor Roper encouraged residents to get their shots, adding that it will determine whether Cayman receives more supplies.

“If we can show this can be made to work and we can roll vaccines out successfully over the next few days. I am confident that we can get another batch of vaccines, either on the next flight or the one after that. This vaccine really is our way out of this pandemic,” Roper said.

Unlike the UK, Cayman health officials have said they will be administering the second dose after 21 days as stipulated by Pfizer for maximum efficacy.

The UK has pushed back administering the second dose of the vaccine from three weeks after the first inoculation, to 12 weeks to give more people the initial shot.

Meanwhile, it is still unclear how many viles the BVI will receive in the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines it is set to receive from the UK.

By February, the BVI is set to receive the AstraZeneca vaccines, produced by Oxford University.

The Health Ministry will work closely with Public Health England, the Caribbean Public Health Agency, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), and the World Health Organization (WHO) on a national programme to make the vaccine available to residents on a purely voluntary basis.

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9 Comments

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  1. Belonger says:

    Hmmm. And we in the BVI continue to bite the hand that feed us.

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    • sunny day says:

      The FDA today joined The WHO and Dr.Fauci in admitting there is a notable risk of false results from the standard PCR-Test used to define whether an individual is a COVID “Case” or not.

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  2. Jane says:

    Notice Cayman is receiving these before BVI? Maybe this Fahie-led government might want to read-up on the art of diplomacy. His petulant actions and desperate attempts to project/deflect the racism and corruption on to the Governor, Police Commish and the UK government have consequences.

    To be clear: BVI has some VERY legitimate concerns when it comes to the vestiges of colonialism and the undoubtedly institutionally racist approach to the appointment of the Governor and the Commish by the Brits HOWEVER a more honest and skillful negotiator could have made these points in a more effective way, without weakening the BVI’s negotiating position.

    BVI voters please remember this when it comes to voting. Remember this if we get community spread of COVID in the coming weeks and your granny or grand-dad becomes a victim as a consequence.

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  3. scccnnn baaiii says:

    I dont want no vaccine. Just gimme hot WATA, it cant survive hot temperature just gimme the light and spark the drooooo

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  4. FAHIE says:

    Is destroying our good relationship with the UK. He is an antagonist as he is suspected of gross … and other more serious issues…

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    • @fahie says:

      Why don’t you pack up and go to the UK and you will get the treatment you deserve. Why are people so upset when strong black men stand up for something. What’s up with the house slave and colonial mentality. Somebody needs to get a whip and lash you across your back and then you will understand to sleep with you eyes open as long as BVI is called a territory.

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  5. Rubber Duck says:

    I wonder where an independent VI would stand in the line for vaccines? Somewhere near the back of the queue with Haiti and the rest I suspect.

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  6. Concerned citizen says:

    While Cayman has secured one of the most effective vaccines at 95% effectiveness. BVI has chosen the one with 70% effectiveness. We can spend millions on infrastructure but not to get the freezers necessary to store the most effective vaccine for the health of its people. Priorities misplaced. At least I hope we get the Moderna vaccine which can be stored in regular freezers.

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