FOR those Bahamians who are still having vaccine hesitancy, a Pan American Health Organization chief said the public should accept that the vaccines have been assessed as safe and take them.

“I want to remind citizens that the vaccines authorised by WHO and delivered through COVAX have been thoroughly assessed by experts,” PAHO director Dr Carissa Etienne said at the organization’s weekly regional webinar.

“So, when it’s your turn to get vaccinated, embrace what’s available to you and don’t delay your vaccination.

“Getting vaccinated as soon as you’re eligible is the best way to protect yourself and your community. This also means that if your vaccine requires two doses, you should get your second dose when it’s scheduled to ensure you have the best possible protection.

“Across Latin America and the Caribbean, we have a long legacy in immunisation and trust in the life-saving power of vaccines. Once new doses are available, countries are ready to distribute them as quickly as they arrive and PAHO will work tirelessly to get vaccines to every corner in our region, until this pandemic is behind us.”

Regionally, over the past week there were 1.1 million new COVID-19 cases recorded with 31,000 new deaths. Four of the five countries with the highest weekly death counts in the world continue to be here in this region.

As of June 15, there were 17 new cases of COVID-19 reported in The Bahamas bringing the overall count of reported cases to 12,242. There was one new death reported – a 38-year-old female resident of Bimini who died on June 14. This brings the death toll to 240 with 28 other deaths being investigated.

Dr Etienne said neighbouring Cuba and the Dominican Republic continue to drive most new cases in the Caribbean, while Trinidad and Tobago is still reporting high death rates.

There is, however, good news coming from the world leaders – G7.

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