Over twenty percent of the population has received their first jab of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in the British Virgin Islands.
This is according to Minister of Health and Social Development, Honorable Carvin Malone who said “as at March 23rd 2021 approximately only 7,000 first doses have been administered to our elderly, our medical, uniformed and frontline staff and to those of us in the territory who have willingly consented.”
The Health Minister, within his March 25th WhatsApp media update also indicated that the BVI will inherit a total of 32,000 shots of the vaccine by April 2nd, compliments of the United Kingdom.
“As at today March 25th, the BVI received 20,000 doses of vaccines and the UK has indicated that on March 31st a further 12,000 doses of vaccine and relevant supplies will be delivered. In total, by April 2nd 2021, BVI would have received 32,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from the UK. The expiration dates on these vaccines are May 31st and June 30th 2021”.
In a March 4th statement, the Minister had mentioned that the territory will receive an additional 12,000 shots, promised by COVAX, a body mobilized to ensure equitable vaccine distribution throughout the world.
“Proactively contracted, in August of 2020, the COVAX consortium for the provision of vaccines when they become available. Notifications of the delivery of 12,000 doses have been received and receipt is being finalized” Honorable Malone said.
The territory also benefited from an additional 2000 shots donated by Dominica on March 7th as a result of a partnership with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which was rallied on behalf of the British Virgin Islands.
BVISLANDERS SHOWING UP IN SMALL NUMBERS SAYS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
In an exclusive interview with 284 Media, Nurse Gretchen Hodge-Penn shared that a very low number of BVIslanders are coming forward to take the vaccine.
Mrs. Hodge-Penn who has been volunteering at the Catholic Church Center in Road Town said while the community responded well in the beginning, many persons are still very hesitant.
She said “very active in the beginning. We were averaging like 160 people within a four-hour period that we were doing the vaccines. But within the past couple weeks, we’ve really slowed down to 75, 60, 65.”
“The people coming in now, our BVIslanders are the lowest numbers I have seen and that causes a need for concern. I hoping that they too take the time to do research, to ask questions and within the timeframe they will come to have the vaccine”, Nurse Hodge-Penn further added.
Adding to these sentiments was Honorable Malone who stated “BVI residents of other nationalities have agreed and in large percentages have predominantly been vaccinated. Our local population have been rather hesitant and only a small percentage have agreed and have been vaccinated.”
According to the Minister, “a community outreach committee has been formed and has been purposed to educate and inform all residents of the importance and benefits of being vaccinated.”
While phase 1 was scheduled to prioritize healthcare and frontline workers and persons with underlying conditions first, other persons have shown up in numbers at the various vaccination sites to be inoculated.
The Government maintains that vaccinating a high percentage of the population against COVID-19 is a crucial part of BVI’s strategy to curb the pandemic.
His Excellency the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin has said that all BVI residents will be offered both doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine by July 31st, in accordance with the UK’s intent to speed up the vaccination rollout.