Bahamas to get 33,600 doses of vaccines via COVAX facility

Prime Minister of Bahamas Hubert Minnis, during the address to the nation on 28 July 2021, stated that the Caribbean island country would get the third tranche of pre-paid 33,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines by the COVAX facility possibly by next week.

PM Minnis
PM Minnis

Bahamas: Prime Minister of Bahamas Hubert Minnis, during the address to the nation on 28 July 2021, stated that the Caribbean island country would get the third tranche of pre-paid 33,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines by the COVAX facility possibly by next week.

Bahamas Prime Minister further notified that to help the healthcare staff, soon 49 medical staff along with 111 nurses also nursing support staff would be hired, this whole would cost $7.2 million.

Notably, 18 new hospital beds for coronavirus patients, two negative air pressure medical tents would be installed in the Princess Margaret Hospital inventory. These installations would begin on Friday.

Medical tents are being given by the Samaritan’s Purse, an international aid organization. The international organization is also looking at other clinical needs with respect to workforce, supplies and essential accessories.

PM Minnis cited, “Countries would only get out of this coronavirus pandemic by injecting a large percentage of their populations.”

Dr Nikkah Forbes, Director of Infectious Diseases, remarked that “None of the coronaviruses hospitalized cases at the Princess Margaret Hospital or COVID-19 related deaths have been people who been fully vaccinated against the deadly virus.”

PM Minnis stated, the Bahamas government is working closely with CARICOM and the US Government for the COVID-19 vaccine donation from the US, and added, “I am in direct communication with the Secretary-General of CARICOM; to assure that the Bahamas receives its vaccine donation without any delay.”

The Bahamas government is also making a new app to substitute the Hubbcat system to give a technological solution to observe the individuals who are not obeying the coronavirus quarantine and isolation protocols.

He further notified that the Bahamas government is also fighting with the US Embassy in Nassau to obtain tools and supplies that would be useful in the next period of the coronavirus vaccination drive.

Following the statement, PM Minnis added, “As soon as supplies are available, the Pfizer vaccine would be given to 12 to 17-year-old, only with the consent of their parents or guardians.”

He further informed that the Bahamas’ Health Ministry also appointed an experienced epidemiologist to the team on the ground in collaboration with PAHO, the epidemiologist provide much-needed assistance and clinical direction to the surveillance of identified cases as well as identified contacts.

PM Minnis has also instructed the Secretary to the Cabinet to command all Permanent Secretaries in order to implement a schedule, shift, or that public servants work from home, if possible.

In addition, the Medical tents were being donated by the United States government. PM Minnis also praised the citizens for taking their doses of the coronavirus vaccines in order to beat the contagious virus.