569 more people step up for vaccine

| 02/06/2021 | 79 Comments

(CNS): With just one more week left for people to take their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine so that they can have the second dose before the current batch expires, officials confirmed that another 569 people have received their first shot. This brings the total to 44,691, or an estimated 69% of the total population, just a few hundred people away from reaching herd immunity if everyone who has had a first shot follows through with a second. So far, 59% of the community has had both shots and all indications have been that those who have a first dose follow through with a second. This means that over 70% of the population is now expected to be fully protected by the beginning of July.

But with kids under 16 still not yet cleared for the vaccine and concerns about the number of variants now circulating around the world, government has not yet given a clear indication of when the borders are likely to reopen. While Cayman has succeeded in preventing any community transmission for almost a year, given the number of people since then who have arrived in Cayman testing positive for the virus, even some who had been vaccinated, the government has said it will be weighing the risk of reopening the borders very carefully.

The variants are of significant concern. According to information released to CNS this week, the HSA is able to perform a surrogate test for the COVID-19 UK variant, which has shown that there are a large number of positives in Cayman who carried this strain of the virus here.

“CARPHA has provided two sets of genomic sequencing results; the last set of four samples confirmed four positive results for SARS-CoV-2 at the end of April but only one met CARPHA’s criteria for genomic sequencing and this did not reveal any variants of concern,” officials said.

While this implies that the Indian variant has not yet been detected here, it does not mean that people arriving have not been exposed since not all samples are sequenced.

While there were no new positive results for COVID among the test results Wednesday, a surge in positive cases usually comes when test results include those arriving on the repatriation flights.

See the vaccine schedule on the HSA website here.

For more information on vaccines contact the HSA Communications team at
communications@hsa.ky

See here for more information on securely verifiable vaccination records.


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Comments (79)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Seven teenage boys in the US developed heart inflammation after second dose of COVID vaccine and were taken to hospital, study reveals.

    The cases echo reports from Israel in young men diagnosed after receiving Pfizer shots.

    The Israeli Ministry of Health concluded on June 1 that between one in 3,000 to one in 6,000 men ages 16 to 24 who received the vaccine developed the rare condition.

    Israeli health officials first flagged the issue in April when they reported more than 60 cases.

    The study comes as the Israeli Ministry of Health, the European Medicines Agency, the Department of Defense and the CDC study the potential link.

    CNS: Note – None of the boys were critically ill and were sent home from the hospital within two to six days.
    Here’s a balanced article on the subject on Science Magazine

    • Anonymous says:

      In simple terms, myocarditis is a disease that causes inflammation of the heart muscle. This inflammation enlarges and weakens the heart, creates scar tissue and forces it to work harder to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body.

      After Myocarditis
      After treatment, many patients live long, full lives free from the effects of myocarditis. For others, however, ongoing cardiovascular medication or even a heart transplant may be needed. Overall, myocarditis which can cause dilated cardiomyopathy, are thought to account for up to 45 percent of heart transplants in the U.S. today.

      https://www.myocarditisfoundation.org/about-myocarditis/

  2. Anonymous says:

    Open up the borders for vaccinated travelers

  3. Expat84 says:

    Reposting another users earlier comments on the other article. This needs to be reposted again and again,,, facts not conspiracy will hugest cayman safe from COVID and the borders open again.

    I guess the bullet points need repeating over and over.

    1. 99.7% of unvaccinated people survive covid 19
    2. The Pfizer vaccine is 95% effective in preventing illness due to covid.
    3. Taking 1 and 2 into account, vaccinated individuals risk of serious illness or death due to covid-19 is nearly ZERO.
    4. If you are vaccinated and test positive for covid 19, again see 3.
    5. Vaccinated individuals who have tested positive for covid are far less likely to infect others, but if they do, see 3.
    6. The CDC recommends the Pfizer vaccine for all individuals over the age of 12 including pregnant women, individuals with autoimmune disease, elderly etc. The only exception noted is for those who have extreme allergic reactions to specific ingredients in the vaccine itself. This does not mean people who are generally allergic to various things. Polyethylene glycol is one cited ingredient.
    7. The Pfizer vaccine is effective against variants.
    8. The since vaccination programs have been widely implemented in the US and UK, infections and deaths have sharply plummeted demonstrating that the vaccine is highly effective.

    • Anonymous says:

      One size doesn’t fit all.

      number 6- Not so simple my friend. If allergy was the only problem…

      Have you heard of pharmacokinetics? Vaccinomics? How about CYP2D6? Polymorphism? Does it ring a bell? I bet no.

      So here we go. CYP2D6 is liver detox gene. One of the most important enzymes associated with detoxification. 25% of clinical drug clearance is carried out by this enzyme.
      Polymorphism (genetic variation) of the enzyme results in poor, intermediate, efficient or ultrarapid metabolizes of CYP2D6 drugs. The polymorphism of CYP2D6 significantly affects the pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution,metabolism and excretion) of the 50% of the drugs in clinical use, which are CYP2D6 substrates. The consequences of the polymorphism at ordinary drug doses can be either adverse drug reaction or no drug response.

      Evolution of human CYP2D6 has resulted in the following types of alleles ( alternative forms of a gene):
      -alleles that are fully functional
      -with reduced function(one non functioning alleles)
      – null alleles (2 non functioning alleles)

      What are clinical implications of CYP2D6 polymorphism? Drugs metabolized more rapidly and therapeutic plasma levels will not be achieved at ordinary drug dosages. Drugs metabolized at a lower rate, and the risk of adverse reactions is higher.

      What kind of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6?
      – codeine and other opioids
      – antidepressants
      – SSRI drugs
      – antipsychotic drugs
      – anti nausea drugs
      – cardiovascular drugs
      – breast cancer drug tamoxifen

      As you can see the enzyme is one of the most important drug metabolizing enzyme in causing adverse drug reactions.

      Do you now believe it is a little more complicated than simple allergies when it comes to drugs, vaccines, supplements? Everything you put into your body via mouth or injection has to be cleared by liver and removed via excrements or by kidneys. As it was demonstrated above it is a very complex process.

      Here is the link if you have intellectual curiosity about detoxification, CYP2D6 etc. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15563650.2015.1049355?journalCode=ictx20

      • Anonymous says:

        Fully functioning CYP2D6 enzyme is important for proper detoxification, but the process is much more complex. For example, plasma levels of hepatically cleared drugs are largely dependent on blood pressure and posture. Blood flow to liver could be decreased due to underlying health conditions such as Dysautonomia, hypovolemia, hypotension for example. That could lead to toxicity. For instance, Lidocaine can cause toxicity and seizures if this phenomena occurs.

        That is why some healthy people with fully functioning CYP2D6, can clear pretty much all drugs and toxins out of their bodies, while others can’t, which leads to accumulation in blood and tissues and some toxins can even get trough blood-brain barrier.

        Of course this explanation is oversimplified, but hope could help you to understand that we are all genetically different.

      • Anonymous says:

        That’s interesting and I hereby deem today national CYP2D6 awareness day in your honor, but what does that have to do with the Pfizer vaccine? I don’t see anything in your copy paste above nor the link you provided where the vaccine in question is at issue. I did search CYP2D6 and Pfizer vaccine for covid. I found plenty of Pfizer links on the subject relating to other drugs (like those in your list above), the vaccine wasn’t one of them nor is it listed as a disqualifier for getting vaccinated.

        • Anonymous says:

          Thank you! That post definitely illustrates the rabbit hole some people go down trying to justify their anti-vaxx stance.

        • Anonymous says:

          Ingredient components of a vaccine include adjuvants, added to enhance the immune system response; antibiotics, to prevent contamination during the manufacturing process; and preservatives and stabilizers.

          A completed vaccine study must include mechanisms of clearance of this ingredients out of a human body. That is where CYP2D6 might come handy.

          But since the trials still continue, nobody knows, yet.

          The FDA lists these additional ingredients (Pfizer)as:

          -lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2- hexyldecanoate
          – 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide
          -1,2-distearoyl-snglycero-3-phosphocholine, and cholesterol)
          – potassium chloride,
          – monobasic potassium phosphate,
          -sodium chloride,
          -dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate,
          – sucrose.
          https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download

          You can learn more here:
          https://www.nature.com/articles/6500285#:~:text=The%20polymorphism%20of%20CYP2D6%20significantly,reactions%20or%20no%20drug%20response

    • Sheriff says:

      As of today, we have hit the 70% mark of people who have received the first vaccine shot. And as many of us predicted the 70% target is now null and void. In fact, we are now being told that “70%” was a result of media reports based on comments Panton made in a previous press conference. And we are being told there is no specific number that can guarantee herd immunity. DUH – anyone that has read anything about heard immunity knows no set number will guarantee herd immunity. So what now? We wait until Panton decides on another % of people that have to be vaccinated before CIG can figure out how to reopen the border? Then when we hit the new number it won’t be good enough and we will have another goal….until what??? We all know will never reach 100% of the population vaccinated, it is not possible. Some people won’t get vaccinated, some people can’t get vaccinated, there is no vaccine with EUA for children under 12, and we still don’t have permission to vaccinated 12-16-year-olds.

      Come on Panton and crew if you have no intention of reopening the border other than with a 10-day quarantine for vaccinated people and flights in/out only via CA and BA then tell us. Stop moving the goal post.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Here in the U.K. the “Indian” variant is spreading like wildfire among teenagers. Thankfully there is little evidence that they become ill from this, and our death rate has dropped to nearly zero, however as someone pointed out above, it’s clear that unvaccinated children pose a significant risk of transmission.

  5. Anonymous says:

    What’s the point?

    • Anonymous says:

      Reposting another users earlier comments on the other article. This needs to be reposted again and again,,, facts not conspiracy will hugest cayman safe from COVID and the borders open again.

      I guess the bullet points need repeating over and over.

      1. 99.7% of unvaccinated people survive covid 19
      2. The Pfizer vaccine is 95% effective in preventing illness due to covid.
      3. Taking 1 and 2 into account, vaccinated individuals risk of serious illness or death due to covid-19 is nearly ZERO.
      4. If you are vaccinated and test positive for covid 19, again see 3.
      5. Vaccinated individuals who have tested positive for covid are far less likely to infect others, but if they do, see 3.
      6. The CDC recommends the Pfizer vaccine for all individuals over the age of 12 including pregnant women, individuals with autoimmune disease, elderly etc. The only exception noted is for those who have extreme allergic reactions to specific ingredients in the vaccine itself. This does not mean people who are generally allergic to various things. Polyethylene glycol is one cited ingredient.
      7. The Pfizer vaccine is effective against variants.
      8. The since vaccination programs have been widely implemented in the US and UK, infections and deaths have sharply plummeted demonstrating that the vaccine is highly effective.

  6. Anonymous says:

    No plan, no point.

  7. Anonymous says:

    will keep asking the same questions:
    what happens if we reach the impossible ever changing target?…cig has never said what would happen.
    what happens when we don’t reach the target?
    why are we denying vaccinated people freedom of travel?
    is cayman trying to stay covid and virus free forever?
    we have protected our at risk groups and health service and have one of the highest vaccinations rates in the world….what is cayman afraid of?
    will wait for answers.

  8. Anonymous says:

    I see from the European media that Cayman remains on the UK’s “Amber” list. What seems to be lacking is our ability to detect variants either by genome sequencing or kit based rapid testing. I would have thought that we would want to have information on variants arriving, particularly with all the talk of allowing more and more people in.

    • Anonymous says:

      It’s a good theory but the Falklands, Sandwich islands, Azores, and Faroe islands don’t have that capacity either, and we are sending samples to CARPHA for genomic sequencing.

    • Anonymous says:

      I really can’t imagine that the genomic sequencing capabilities of the Faroe Islands, Falklands Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, or even Gibraltar, are more advanced than ours. Yet somehow they are on the list…

      • Anonymous says:

        Apart from Gibraltar who would travel for a holiday to these places. Very few. That’s why they’re on the so called green list as the U.K. government have picked some of the most obscure destinations on earth. Portugal that was on the green list has been moved to amber from next week and no new countries or territories have been added to the green list.

    • Anonymous says:

      The Governor just yesterday said that we now have the ability to do genome sequencing here now..I believe the first in the Caribbean..Keep up..Give the HSA a little time to ramp up.

    • Anonymous says:

      Maybe they’re keeping us on the “Amber list” since we aren’t allowing free travel for UK persons. Restricting them ends up in them restricting us.

      • Anonymous says:

        You do realize that the UK is still raging with community spread. Cayman has no community spread. A person coming from here has very little chance of taking the virus to the UK particularly on a nonstop BA flight..but a passenger arriving here could very well bring covid here…as is the case with every flight when we see the statistics for that day..that is the big difference.

  9. Anonymous says:

    I am very glad to learn that none of the vaccines we have will be wasted. It would have been a tragedy if Cayman would have thrown away vaccine doses that people in other parts of the world desperately need.

  10. Anonymous says:

    I can understand why CIG is hesitant in accepting certificates from overseas. From the Guardian today;

    “A German police force has established a dedicated team to counteract an ascendant illegal trade in fake vaccine certificates, the BBC reports…

    The certificates are reported to have become increasingly desirable to those hesitant to receive the Covid jab, as proving vaccination can provide greater freedoms in Germany.”

  11. Anonymous says:

    Remember when everyone called him No Plan Alden…pretty clear even in early days Wayne also has no plan.

    Make the damn plan and open the friggin borders. Safely, but open.

  12. Roane says:

    You could see it coming from a mile away, and many of us had already stated that we knew that this would happen. Now that we are nearly at the 70% required vaccine rate for Cayman, they are claiming up and deciding to do nothing. The light at the end of the tunnel has shrunk it up to the size of a pinhole. I don’t believe they ever had any intention of opening up at 70%, even though that’s what they claimed would happen. What’s the new number going to be, 80%? 90%? Or will it be 100%? Somehow I still believe that if we had 100% of our residents vaccinated, they would still require us to quarantine for 10 days if we came back to the island. It’s just becoming ridiculous joke at this point

    • Not afraid of my shadow says:

      Caymans on the UK amber list and cayman calls foul as they have to quarantine for 10 days on arrival in UK. I think the saying goes “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander”
      Perhaps the Uk is concerned about the Cayman Variant that has symptoms of fear uncertainty and inability to make rational decisions rather than a possible mild fever and possibly a cough.

    • Anonymous says:

      Go and get you vaccine and stop complaining..We will reopen but it will be done safely and in good time..If it is absolutely need to go on vacation go, but just remember you need to get your vaccination otherwise you will be spending 14 days instead of 10 in quarantine..at least for now..

  13. Anonymous says:

    Reposting another users earlier comments on the other article. This needs to be reposted again and again,,, facts not conspiracy will hugest cayman safe from COVID and the borders open again.

    I guess the bullet points need repeating over and over.

    1. 99.7% of unvaccinated people survive covid 19
    2. The Pfizer vaccine is 95% effective in preventing illness due to covid.
    3. Taking 1 and 2 into account, vaccinated individuals risk of serious illness or death due to covid-19 is nearly ZERO.
    4. If you are vaccinated and test positive for covid 19, again see 3.
    5. Vaccinated individuals who have tested positive for covid are far less likely to infect others, but if they do, see 3.
    6. The CDC recommends the Pfizer vaccine for all individuals over the age of 12 including pregnant women, individuals with autoimmune disease, elderly etc. The only exception noted is for those who have extreme allergic reactions to specific ingredients in the vaccine itself. This does not mean people who are generally allergic to various things. Polyethylene glycol is one cited ingredient.
    7. The Pfizer vaccine is effective against variants.
    8. The since vaccination programs have been widely implemented in the US and UK, infections and deaths have sharply plummeted demonstrating that the vaccine is highly effective.

    • Anonymous says:

      What’s the CDC?

    • Anonymous says:

      You could even add Israel to the list showing the efficacy of the vaccine. I’ve had both shots since early April. If you are still holding out for more data, this alone should convince you especially if you plan on traveling.

      Even if you don’t travel, this virus will eventually get here. You are not immune if you don’t take the vaccine. Plan accordingly.

      • Anonymous says:

        Not immune if you take the vaccine either

        • Anonymous says:

          True, its possible. Of course, you have a 1 in 10000 chance of being a breakthrough case, but if you don’t want it don’t take it. Just don’t insult everyone’s intelligence by inferring that a vaccinated and unvaccinated people are carrying anything like the same risks, both for themselves and others. If I drive home from a bar having been on soft drinks doesn’t mean i am not going to have an accident, possibly one that hurts someone else, but the odds of that happening are way higher if i drink. I bet you would treat any comment from me at the bar that not drinking wouldn’t prevent the possibility of an accident with the contempt it deserves.

    • Anonymous says:

      This post should be permanently affixed to any Covid-related story on CNS. To the original poster, keep reposting this in every related article.

      And thanks for writing.

    • Anonymous says:

      You’re not correct. Pfizer is not 95% effective in preventing Covid illness to everyone, merely to those who are nearly dead already. (Ok, slight exageration).

      The true effectiveness of Pfizer is 0.7% to most of us. Its the Absolute Risk Reduction, not the Relative Risk Reduction (which is 95%, but only to a tiny few of us).

      Your #1 point is telling – 99.7$ of people unvaxd survive. Makes a vax almost redundant.

      Especially when ivermectin exists and is proven even at low doses (12mgs per day) to remove Covid from mild and medium sick people inside 48 hours. (See MExico, see india, see everywhere really).

      The reason we’re not being told about Ivermectin on the front pages is becuase you cannot roll out Emergency Use Authoirzations of any vaccine IF there exists proven working treatments. Ivermectin exists.

      Why are we being forced the vax? Because in 2 years when the EUA runs out, the non-patented Ivermectin willbe hailed as the wonder drug and big pharma can’t make any more money off the vax.

      I know – tin foil hat stuff – but sadly factual and happening right before us.

      • Anonymous says:

        Now let us wait for all the down votes and name calling to start. Most aren’t capable of understanding what emergency use authorisation is. In their head, that means approved and safe. Then you have ones that say “Well I’ve taken it and nothing has happened to me.” Highly likely nothing will happen in the short term. The FACT remains that no one knows the long term effects.

        • Anonymous says:

          Obviously you are the health expert extraordinaire . I feel sorry for the people that follow your rubbish instead of following well educated scientists and health care experts. If you are going to spew nonsense that state your name, profession, education and years or expertise in this field and maybe I would look at your nonsense ..until then I choose to discount your post for what it is, Absolute Nonsense!

        • Anonymous says:

          Right, but it’s been in development far longer than Covid existed right? MRNA…

      • Anonymous says:

        You are an ass! Invermectin should not be used to treat Covid-19. Do you know that some stupid people mostly likely Trump Patriots were taking this which is drug used to kill parasites in animals.

        Some foolish people probably influenced by idiots like yourself were self medicating with Invermectin prescriptions that were meant for their horses and ended up hospitalized because of it.

        This is what the FDA says about Invermectin.

        https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/why-you-should-not-use-ivermectin-treat-or-prevent-covid-19

        We really need to put an end to this garbage and stop trying to twist peoples minds with foolishness.

        Next we will hear you saying that we should inject bleach instead of taking the vaccine.

    • Figures don't lie. Liars figure. says:

      The “good results” of the vaccine are also being skewed in the USA as the CDC has ordered that the number of cycles iterated for those who were jabbed be reduced to 25 while those who are unjabbed remain at 35 to 40 cycles. FYI, a German judge ruled that anything over 25 cycles is not accurate.

      The high number of cycles leads to “asymptomatic” cases of COVID.

      Figures don’t lie. Liars figure.

      CNS: Health authorities in all countries are only looking at the number of cases because a rise in cases is a good predictor of a rise a couple of weeks later in hospitalizations and deaths. These are the important statistics that people are looking at, which are plummeting as populations are vaccinated. These are the “good results”, people not getting really sick or dying. You’re wasting energy trying to debunk the case statistics. No one cares. The issue surrounding cases now is which variants are showing up and whether the vaccines perform well against them.

      • Anonymous says:

        Thank you CNS..They will try to do anything to twist and turn and present their conspiracy and fake virus theories. If it wasn’t for people like these many more here would have gotten vaccinated by now and we could be out of this mess now. It is a shame that we have taken this long just because we have these people that preach their stupidity whenever they can.

    • Anonymous says:

      Unbelievable that this gets 10 dislikes. Idiots. Education is the reason for poor vaccine take up and not a higher percentage of senior finance/tourism jobs amongst Caymanians unfortunately. Until they educate their population, people will still act with ignorance.

    • Anonymous says:

      Today, Covid is the 4th leading cause of death in the US. Just after accidents, but a long way from cancer and heart disease. The paranoid need to understand the virus is also contagious in the US and yet it’s 4th because the vaccine works.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Why is there such a concern re variants? The vaccines are equally as efficient against them. Yes, they may be more transmissible but surely that’s completely irrelevant once 70 or 80% are vaccinated. Who’s going to catch it.

    We need to get used to variants. We are only 18 months in.. there will be many more to come.

  15. Anonymous says:

    This is good news, eh.

  16. Annie says:

    Okay, we know the virus has mutated due tto idiots not getting vaccinated, and willing people not having access. So, my two cents. Allow vaccinated travelers from North America and or Europe with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Sorry for my son who got the J&J, but too risky.

    • Your first sentence is completely false .Viruses will mutate regardless of whether you have been vaccinated or not.

      Vaccinated travellers can also catch and spread the virus.

      And then you go on to offer your non expert opinion, of which of the vaccine recipients would be allowed to travel , depending on which manufacturers jab they had.

      Here is my two cents worth. Please Please stop posting verbal Diarrhoea .

      • Anonymous says:

        If you want to be accurate, then please also mention that while the possibility exists of vaccinated travellers catching and spreading covid, it is highly highly unlikely. Even more unlikely when the majority of residents are also vaccinated.

        • Anonymous says:

          Except that the most recent folks to be tested positive are vaccinated. Smh. Media is killing brain cells

          • Anonymous says:

            Proof please. It’s not right to spread misinformation.

          • Anonymous says:

            Not true!

          • Anonymous says:

            About to hit the 70% goal……time to move the goal posts again. Wash, rinse and repeat. So ridiculous!

          • Anonymous says:

            Except they are not.. Something is killing your brain cells.

          • Anonymous says:

            Stop spreading lies..there is no proof to what you are saying…Media in Cayman are not like FOX and CNN in the States..They will expose whatever happens here be in positive or negative…

            There is no truth to your accusation..

            Go out and get vaccinated and stop with your foolishness.

        • Anonymous says:

          You do realize that the word “unlikely” proves it is not impossible to contract and spread COVID even when vaccinated?

          • Anonymous says:

            They never said that it was impossible but that the risk is very low. Everyone knows that. If you are concerned, then just get vaccinated. I do think you’re grasping at straws here. It’s one thing to not want to get vaccinated but another thing to not want to get vaccinated but to also want to keep the borders closed indefinitely just so we can protect you.

  17. Great work Cayman says:

    Now that an estimated 85 percent of those eligible to be vaccinated have done so, it is time to aggressively move forward with allowing commercial flights back in.

    Keep a minimal quarantine as a buffer, if you wish.
    Summer is the time when the risk is lower in United States and there are no Covid hot spots there anymore.

    Follow the science and allow Caymanians to travel to and fro, over the summer school holiday, come November, things might not be so rosy.

  18. Annie says:

    Why do vaccinated people need t quarantine for 10 days? Can anyone explain any logic for this decision? Omg we are living in a banana republic.

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