Government has declared that they will not be liable for any side effects or mishaps suffered by residents who opt to take the Pfizer or Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine through the USVI-BVI Vaccination Bubble Initiative.
Minister for Health Carvin Malone made the statement during a recent COVID-19 update, where he said that all participants in the initiative will have to sign a form exempting the BVI government from such liabilities.
He said, “Participants will have to sign their application and a declaration exempting the Government of the Virgin Islands from any and all liabilities associated with the vaccination.”
In contrast, residents who suffer any side effects from the AstraZeneca version of the vaccine which is being procured to the territory by the United Kingdom government will be covered by the UK.
This was recently confirmed by the UK Healthcare Ambassador to the Overseas Territories, Professor Ian Cumming.
Meanwhile, health minister Malone also gave a more detailed outline of the criteria and instructions to be followed for persons interested in utilising the USVI-BVI vaccine bubble service.
As previously mentioned in several related articles, persons interested in the initiative must have in their possession a valid birth certificate for children under 18 who also must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and should have a valid passport which meets the entry requirement for the USVI.
Qualified persons will be exempted from the applicable quarantine requirement as partially vaccinated persons and will not be required to register on the reentry portal and will be exempted from paying associated fees.
However, all participants must fund all costs associated with getting the vaccine including transportation and logistical costs.
“Those of you who are able to meet these requirements can move on to the other stage of the registration process. Persons can complete the Vaccination Bubble Registration Form and submit it along with the listed documents via email to the ministryofhealth@gov.vg. Persons can also register by calling 852- 7525 Monday-Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m,” Minister Malone stated.
He added, “During that call you will be asked a series of questions and the information will be validated for eligibility purposes. Please ensure that information provided is truthful and accurate. We want to know your contact information, immigration status, vaccination preference, vaccination history if any, your reason for participating, your medical history and if you have previously tested positive for COVID-19 among other information.”
Protocols to be followed once on the Bubble list
The health minister said once the registration process has been completed and participants sign the application and declaration forms, they will be added to the bubble list.
He outlined the protocols that must be adhered to by all participants in the bubble list.
“Persons on the bubble list will be given a date and time to check in at the West End Ferry Dock. Persons will have to check in at least one hour and a half before the departure time of the ferry to allow for rapid antigen testing. The BVI Health Services Authority has also lowered the cost of the rapid test to $30 to facilitate this process. All registered persons with a negative test will then be allowed to board the vessel. The boat will depart West End bound for Cruz Bay, St John. Upon arrival the vessel will be inspected by the Customs and Boarder Protection CBP. Passengers will be allowed to exit the ferry and go through the terminal, while the vessel remains docked,” he stated.
“Cleared passengers will exit inspection facility but stay within the secured zone. Passengers will then proceed to Department of Health (DOH) for vaccine processing and administration. When finished the vaccinated passenger will return to the ferry and wait until the last vaccinated passenger returns and all passengers will remain on the ferry until observation period is over. When the observation period is over the boat will depart St. John and return back to West End, Tortola,” he further explained.
The minister also reminded persons that the initiative is time sensitive with a very small window of opportunity. He therefore encouraged interested persons to utilise the service as soon as possible.
The first trip which sailed on August 3 had a total of 59 persons, of which 35 were children who were accompanied by their parent or guardian.