BAHAMAS: PM Wants End to Vaccine Hesitancy

#TheBahamas, July 6, 2021 – Insisting that the Delta coronavirus variant has the potential to collapse the healthcare system and cause a “super surges of cases”, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday urged Bahamians to overcome vaccine hesitancy.

Prime Minister Minnis said only by getting vaccinated can Bahamians get protection against the deadly virus. His appeal comes amid concerns over new variants, including the Delta Plus strain. He has previously said it is not a matter of if the variant will arrive, but when. According to Minnis, there has been an uptick in vaccinations in recent weeks.

As of July 2, nearly 96,000 doses of AstraZeneca had been administered — 59,731 individuals with one dose and 36,261 individuals who have been fully vaccinated. A total of 64,642 doses were administered on New Providence, 13,737 on Grand Bahama and 12,613 on the Family Islands.

The National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee said there has been an 86.1 percent rate of individuals receiving their first vaccine and returning for the second jab. The percentage is higher on the Family Islands, with a 91.2 percent return rate.

The United States government recently supported the Ministry of Health in sending off a second tranche of COVID-19 vaccines to the Family Islands.

The Bahamas is expected to receive another 33,600 doses of AstraZeneca by July 26.

An unspecified number of Pfizer vaccines are also expected to arrive from the US next week.