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Hopes that 60,000 can be fully vaccinated over the next six weeks

Mon, Aug 16th 2021, 05:00 PM
Covid-19 Tribune Stories

THE National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee is seeking to fully vaccinate 60,000 Bahamians and residents over the next six weeks, with the addition of the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

During a press conference yesterday, Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, the chairperson of the committee, said with the nation’s current supplies, in addition to the vaccines that are in the “pipeline”, they now have the opportunity to “significantly accelerate” their vaccination programme.
#Last week, the Bahamas received its first batch of the Pfizer vaccine from the United States. After receiving over 30,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this month, the country is also expected to receive 38,400 doses of the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine later this week.
#“In the last two weeks, the Bahamas has been very fortunate to receive a significant boost to our COVID-19 vaccine supplies,” Dr Dahl Regis stated. “On August 3, we received 33,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This was the third tranche of pre-paid vaccines secured through the COVAX Facility with the assistance of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). We have 19,240 remaining doses of these doses remaining at this time.
#“Just this past Thursday, the Bahamas received 128,700 doses of the Pfizer vaccine donated by the government of the United States...This generous donation is the first in a series of batches. Over the coming months, the Bahamas is expected to receive a total of 397,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine as a part of this significant donation. I am (also) pleased to report that the Bahamas has been notified that in this coming week it will receive 38,400 doses of the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”
#Dr Dahl-Regis said the committee re-opened three additional vaccination centres in New Providence last week, which allowed them to administer a total of 8,858 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during that period. Of that number, 61 percent accounted for first doses, while 39 percent accounted for second doses.
#She added that the committee was pleased by the number of citizens and residents who were registering for the “life-saving vaccine”. She said that health officials have also noticed as their supplies have increased in recent weeks, so has the demand for the vaccine.
#“Over the next week there are 7,514 appointments already booked,” she said. “This includes 4,603, or 61 percent first doses and 2,911, or 39 percent, second doses.This represents 96 percent of the appointment slots available online up until Friday of this week. During the week of August 23, we anticipate that a total of 17,100 appointments will be available. Our goal is to fully vaccinate 60,000 Bahamians and residents over the next six weeks.”
#Dr Dahl-Regis said as of August 14, healthcare workers have administered 117,380 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. As it stands, a total of 51,150 people are fully vaccinated.

During a press conference yesterday, Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, the chairperson of the committee, said with the nation’s current supplies, in addition to the vaccines that are in the “pipeline”, they now have the opportunity to “significantly accelerate” their vaccination programme.

Last week, the Bahamas received its first batch of the Pfizer vaccine from the United States. After receiving over 30,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this month, the country is also expected to receive 38,400 doses of the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine later this week.

“In the last two weeks, the Bahamas has been very fortunate to receive a significant boost to our COVID-19 vaccine supplies,” Dr Dahl Regis stated. “On August 3, we received 33,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This was the third tranche of pre-paid vaccines secured through the COVAX Facility with the assistance of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). We have 19,240 remaining doses of these doses remaining at this time.

“Just this past Thursday, the Bahamas received 128,700 doses of the Pfizer vaccine donated by the government of the United States...This generous donation is the first in a series of batches. Over the coming months, the Bahamas is expected to receive a total of 397,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine as a part of this significant donation. I am (also) pleased to report that the Bahamas has been notified that in this coming week it will receive 38,400 doses of the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”

Dr Dahl-Regis said the committee re-opened three additional vaccination centres in New Providence last week, which allowed them to administer a total of 8,858 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine during that period. Of that number, 61 percent accounted for first doses, while 39 percent accounted for second doses.

She added that the committee was pleased by the number of citizens and residents who were registering for the “life-saving vaccine”. She said that health officials have also noticed as their supplies have increased in recent weeks, so has the demand for the vaccine.

“Over the next week there are 7,514 appointments already booked,” she said. “This includes 4,603, or 61 percent first doses and 2,911, or 39 percent, second doses.This represents 96 percent of the appointment slots available online up until Friday of this week. During the week of August 23, we anticipate that a total of 17,100 appointments will be available. Our goal is to fully vaccinate 60,000 Bahamians and residents over the next six weeks.”

Dr Dahl-Regis said as of August 14, healthcare workers have administered 117,380 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. As it stands, a total of 51,150 people are fully vaccinated.

 

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