Second vaccine doses underway
(CNS): Those who received the first dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines that arrived in Cayman earlier this month will begin receiving their second dose this week, as Public Health staff simultaneously continue the roll out of the first dose to all of those in the first stage. Cayman’s next batch of 9,750 vaccines is expected on the British Airways flight on Thursday. This will enable groups in the next stage of the national plan to start getting their first shots this week as well.
All healthcare workers, people with serious medical conditions who are vulnerable and at high risk of severe illness, and the over 60s who want to be vaccinated are already able to get their shots on scheduled days at the hospital, the airport and district clinics.
Public health officials said those in the first group of the next stage of the vaccination plan will also be able to access the vaccine from Wednesday, 27 January, starting with everyone over the age of 16 with a medical condition.
Officials urged people to stick to the published schedule to limit congestion at the various vaccination sites. Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee said he was pleased that people were keen to get the vaccine but stressed the importance of prioritizing the elderly.
“However, it’s important that we continue to focus our first efforts on the vulnerable as they are at most risk of a poor outcome should they contract COVID-19,” he said as he urged patience. “Come for the vaccine when your stage and group are called.”
Those over 60 are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine as they remain the most vulnerable to getting sick, and it is those individuals that government wants to see protected the most when the borders open. People confined to their homes and unable to attend a vaccination clinic can arrange for a Public Health nurse to administer the vaccine at home.
A third delivery of the vaccine is expected in February to meet the timetable of the current proposed rollout.
Thanking the Public Health team that has been disseminating the vaccine to the community, Dr Lee noted that they also provide many other services, including COVID-19 testing and all their other regular jobs, such as home healthcare and general child immunisations.
“This can be stressful time for all as we are all working through the complexities of a global pandemic, so I ask that we all remember to be Caymankind,” the CMO added.
People seeking a second dose this week are reminded that they must bring the vaccination card reflecting the first dose in order to get a second shot. Patients are required to wear a facemask, present a government photo ID and sign the COVID-19 vaccine consent form.
See the vaccination schedule, the consent form and the Vaccination Plan Brochure in the CNS Library here.
For more details on the vaccination programme visit the HSA website here.
For more information on COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands, visit the CIG site here.
HSA Flu Hotline is 1-800-534-8600 or 925-6327 or email flu@hsa.ky
District Health Centre Contact Numbers are as follows:
- George Town – 244-2800
- East End – 947-7440
- North Side – 947-9525
- West Bay – 949-3439
- Bodden Town – 947-2299
- Faith Hospital – 925-1190
Category: Health, Medical Health
This is the dose that changes your gender.
Calling on Dr. LEE to tell us how effectuce is the Vaccine
Which one of the 2 Vaccines is more effected in stopping the C-virus ?
CNS what documents are required to prove that one qualifies for Stage 2? Who is in charge of validation of the fact that the Person qualifies to be in Stage 2?
So after the second dose it’s 30 to 50% effective ? Is that the data coming out of Israel now ..
UK Students????
There should be a Stage 4 for selfish morons.
Is CI Gov going to bring in another brand? Due to strong allergic reactions to other medicines in the past, a family member was discouraged from taking the current vaccine and told to wait for another brand. Or will CI Gov consider brining in a small batch of something else for those who have genuine and well documented health concerns?
3.07pm Tami Flu might help.
Stage 2B includes “essential workers”. This is when the uncontrolled free-for-all masses will come.
Government, please define this category or just stick to age categories.
Thanks.
If you were essential during the lockdown you have documents to prove that. Presumably that’s the proof they’ll want. Otherwise they need to define the category.
This really does need to be defined. I know someone working in a clothing shop planning to go on Saturday. She believes that she is “essential” because she works with the public but that’s not what I would have thought.
Can everyone stick to their groups now? No pushing in!
Please, pretty please. And of course we don’t enforce much of anything here, but you know that right?
Exactly! I can’t even comprehend young/healthy people being in such a rush for this vaccine and, worse yet, pushing in!
What sort of nasty person dislikes that comment?
The pushing in would not be so aggravating if the government wasn’t planning to open the borders before everyone has the opportunity to be vaccinated. Those of us at the bottom will be at risk because people who are vaccinated may still be able to carry Covid. So if I work with a vaccinated person who decides to take a shopping trip to Miami, now I’m at risk when they return because they will not need to quarantine. Same with going to the doctor, dentist, church, restaurants, everything.
There is a market for line skipping so I will continue to meet that need. Good $$.
can we have access to all the side effects analysis in cayman?
just to clarify
Side effects are not tracked in Cayman (or most places so far). For example, public health wouldnt have any idea if you had a mild fever the night after you received the vaccine (a typical side effect).
If you want a good side effect profile, look at the top-line data put out by Pfizer and Moderna of side effects during the Phase 3 trial, where all participants were asked to report all side effects in a central database.
I saw my cardiologist yesterday, he looked very rough, though he said he is all right after getting his second shot. May be he is overworked.
It doesn’t make you any smarter if that’s what’s concerning you.