Vaccine is here! TCI Health holds Press Conference; the BIG TAKE AWAYS

#TurksandCaicosIslands – January 8, 2021 – Turks and Caicos has access to 80,000 and can vaccinate the entire country; a remarkable position for the island.  First batch arrived last night (Jan 7) and is stored at TCI hospital. 

A portal to be launched for registration of residents interested in taking the vaccine, however, one does not have to wait for the portal, one can contact official offices to inform of your interest.

Confirmed that as of last night, there are 230 appointments already set for the Covid vaccines in Providenciales & Grand Turk; they begin next week Tuesday January 12

Logistically the TCI Hospitals and Family Island clinics will be the sites for the shots and it will be by appointment only; up to 80 individuals per day is what Minister of Health says is manageable for TCI at this time

Vaccines can be wasted.  It is critical for appointments to be kept.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays are vaccine days.  Tuesdays and Fridays in Provo.  Wednesdays in Grand Turk.  These islands are with the larger populations.

In the top three priority groups:  Health Care Workers, Elderly, Medically vulnerable, National leaders and Prison inmates there is a total of 2,290 individuals who can be immunized.

It is NOT mandatory for anyone to take vaccine; this includes health care workers.

Recent cluster of infections of Covid at the TCI Hospitals will not hurt the vaccination strategy says Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, TCI Hospitals CEO.  Screening for those entering all health facilities will continue and includes temperature check.

Minister Edwin Astwood myth-busting:  no chips, no one controlling the mind, no one here to trick you only here to offer the vaccine to help and save lives.  Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine unlike vaccines of yesteryear, is optional and with greater world and scientific scrutiny.

UK Government issued vaccines to four overseas territories; Cayman, Turks and Caicos, Bermuda and Gibraltar. TCI vaccines arrived via British Airways on evening of Thursday January 7, 2021.

TCI received 9,750 vaccines.

The Press Conference was held at the Cheshire Hall Medical Center and welcomed media in the room and via Zoom.