TCI: Some Work Permit holders can be exempt from the Mandatory Vaccination rule; Children approved for Vaccine

#TurksandCaicos, June 26, 2021 – When Cabinet convened on June 21, also discussed were work permit holders who could apply through a medical doctor to skip taking the Covid-19 vaccine. 

Specifically, the Cabinet report informed:  “Approved that subject to guidelines (to be developed) by the Medical Regulatory Authority (MRA), medical practitioners can request exemptions for persons on work permits and government stamps from the mandatory requirement for the same group to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on medical grounds.”

Wednesday June 30 had been given as the deadline for all work permit holders to become vaccinated for Covid-19 in the territory.  It dramatically increased uptake of the vaccine as the country has set as a goal for 70 per cent of adults to become fully vaccinated. 

Cabinet has also agreed that with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, and based on the positive review by the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization.

Children ages 12 to 15 can be vaccinated in Turks and Caicos with the Pfizer BioNTech brand.  The JCVI is however expected to rule against giving the vaccine to children in the UK; most reports say the decision is based on ethical grounds.