Bahamas identified large number of Alpha variant cases

The Health Minister of the Bahamas island - Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, on 15 August 2021, informed that a large number of the cases of the Alpha variant had been identified via Genomic surveillance.

Bahamas: The Health Minister of the Bahamas island – Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, on 15 August 2021, informed that a large number of the cases of the Alpha variant had been identified via Genomic surveillance.

He stated that around 100 samples had been taken in the month of July and August and were sent to Brazil this weekend for testing, and the results are likely to arrive by the end of this week. He noted that these results would confirm the presence of the other variants in the country, including Delta.

The Health Minister further announced that this week the country would receive 38,400 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. He noted that in the previous week, around 8,858 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered, out of which 61% were for the first COVID-19 doses while 39% for the second jab.

Following the statement, he noted that the Pfizer vaccine is now also available to every one of 12 years and above, adding, “First Pfizer vaccine site at Kendal Isaacs Gym would be open on Thursday 19 August. The public may begin booking appointments on Monday 16 August, starting at 3 pm.”

“So far, a total of 117,380 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as of 14 August, while around 51,150 are fully vaccinated,” Dr Dahl-Regis added.

He further noted that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine would continue to be administered this week in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

The Health Minister has noted that the main objective and focus of the Bahamas government is to fully vaccinate 60,000 citizens of the country over the next six weeks.

“If you have received your first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, you would be able to book Pfizer as a second dose. If you have received a first jab of the Pfizer vaccine abroad, you may book your second dose in the Bahamas,” he added.

He noted that the third jab of the vaccine would not be offered. Children 12-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the vaccination center and would be required to complete the consent form & produce an ID.

He further noted that in order to make sure that ongoing access to the COVID-19 vaccine by public and private school students, a working group is being proposed as part of the Vaccine Consultative Committee. The working group would be made up of key stakeholders and representative groups.

The Health Minister noted that around 411 patients hospitalized at PMH for COVID-19 between 14 March and 31 July 2021, 400 were unvaccinated, 11 were partially vaccinated, and zero were fully vaccinated.