Ultra-cold Pfizer vaccine storage unit arrives in the BVI

In a major announcement on ZBVI radio a short while ago, Health Minister Carvin Malone said the ultra-cold refrigerator that will store the territory’s supply of Pfizer vaccines has arrived in the territory.

The minister said the cold storage unit will be transported to the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital where it will be installed.

“There is another unit that will come either late in December or early in January, in which case, we will have one here on Tortola and one on Virgin Gorda. But we have the refrigeration that is critical to the preservation of the Pfizer vaccine and that will be placed at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital in the first instance,” said Malone, noting that the government is now ‘finalising’ arrangements to receive the Pfizer vaccines.

“The UK has actually declared and they have lived up to their declaration that they would provide all of the AstraZeneca, Pfizer or any vaccine that they have and can access,” he added.

The minister said government expects the arrival of a little more than 4,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines next Monday, December 13.

He said they also expect to receive additional doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine at that time; barring any delays.

Pfizer distribution

He further said the Pfizer vaccine will be distributed as soon as it is received and “properly settled”.

Announcements on distribution will follow but Malone said senior citizens and children 12 to 17 years old will have preference.

“We will have a steady flow of the Pfizer from the UK so no one need worry. We will be able to supply all of the vaccines required,” the Health Minister assured.

Mixing vaccines for the booster dose

The minister, in the meantime, indicated that persons interested in getting booster shots will not have to intermix vaccines if that is not their preference.

“It is important to note that there are those persons who would rather have the third dose of AstraZeneca as opposed to mixing it with the Pfizer, as was declared safe by all of the international medical agencies,” Malone stated.