Bahamas News
PAHO RECOMMENDS COVID-19 VACCINES FOR PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN
#Jamaica, September 9, 2021 – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is recommending coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines for pregnant women after their first trimester and mothers who are breastfeeding.
PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, said that COVID-19 vaccines are critical tools for safeguarding expectant and lactating mothers during the pandemic.
“COVID-19 vaccines, approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), are safe to administer during pregnancies. [Additionally] as the mother breastfeeds, she passes immunity to her baby, so COVID-19 vaccines can also help to protect newborns from the virus,” she noted.
Dr. Etienne was speaking during PAHO’s COVID-19 digital briefing on Wednesday (September 8).
The PAHO Director pointed out that pregnant women, who contract COVID-19, have a higher risk of developing serious symptoms and, more frequently, require ventilation and intensive care.
Additionally, she said they have a greater chance of experiencing premature delivery.
“So far, more than 270,000 pregnant women in the Americas have become sick with COVID, and more than 2,600 of them or one per cent of those infected have died from the virus. Most countries in our region have already reported more cases and deaths among pregnant women this year than all of 2020,” she noted, lamenting that less than half of Latin American and Caribbean nations have rolled out guidelines to inoculate this cohort.
Stating that vaccinations have proven to be a central intervention in protecting pregnant women, Dr. Etienne said that in Mexico, where they have been prioritised for inoculation “for some time”, none who has been vaccinated has succumbed to the virus during pregnancy.
“So, it’s extremely important that pregnant women have access to COVID vaccines,” Dr. Etienne stressed.
In addition to the vaccines, the PAHO Director said it is also imperative that countries maintain access to healthcare services that are critical to keeping pregnant women on track for safe births, including routine screenings.
She noted that the pandemic has significantly impacted prenatal care and associated service delivery, advising that 40 per cent of regional countries have reported disruptions in maternal and newborn care services, which have become more widespread in 2021.
She is also advising pregnant women to adhere to the public health measures, including the wearing of masks, maintaining physical distance, and limiting contact with people outside of their households.
“These are especially important to keep expectant mothers safe from COVID. We owe it to the women in Latin America and the Caribbean to use all the tools at our disposal to protect them and their babies during the pandemic,” Dr. Etienne emphasised.
By Douglas McIntosh, JIS News
Released: JIS
Bahamas News
Get your laugh on, March On, family drama by Gea Pierre, debut this weekend in Turks and Caicos
This is the sixth edition of the relays and the fourth time that The Bahamas has hosted the event, which actually made its debut in The Bahamas in 2014.
President, World Athletics, Sabastian Coe said after three very successful editions from 2014 to 2017, the World Athletics Relays has quickly become one of the World Athletics vibrant competitions, developing a culture of fun and innovation that gives it a unique flavour.
He thanked the Bahamas Government, the local World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 committee and the Bahamian people for agreeing to host the relays. However, his main thanks were to the “world’s best sprinters” travelling from all the continents to compete in preparation for the road to Paris, France, in two months’ time.
During the opening ceremony, the athletes were given words of advice from Carl Lewis, one of only four Olympic athletes to have won nine Olympic gold medals, who is widely recognized as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
He said, “Keep it simple, do not try to do anything extra. Do what your coaches said. Leave on time, leave on time, leave on time.”
The athletes and crowds were treated to the sounds and sights of Junkanoo at the end of the opening ceremony. The Junkanoo performers stuck around for the two days of competitions, playing for the sprinters as they competed on the track.
Teams competed in the Women’s and men’s 4x100m, and the women’s men’s and mixed 4x400m. A total of 14 teams at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 automatically qualified for places at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Both days of competition were important, as day two offered another chance for qualifications for those teams unsuccessful on day one.
Bahamians were made proud as the country set a new national record during the mixed 4x400m relays thanks to the efforts of 16-year-old Shania Adderley, a student of Tabernacle Baptist Academy.
The team came first in their heat on Sunday evening after not being able to gain a spot for the Paris Olympics on the first day of competition.
Other sprinters on the team included Alonzo Russell, as well as Olympic champions Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his remarks at the Opening Ceremony for the World Athletics Relays 2024, on May 4, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis welcomed the special guests, athletes, officials, and “all lovers of athletics from around the world” to the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium here in the “vibrant heart” of Nassau, Bahamas.
“This weekend, the world’s finest athletes gather on our shores to embark on a journey that is not only about speed and strength but also about dreams and determination,” Prime Minister Davis said. “From the serene beauty of our islands to the historic grandeur of Paris, this event marks a crucial path to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.”
He added: “Here in The Bahamas, we are no strangers to world-class athletics or the warmth and exuberance that such international gatherings bring. It is a distinct honor to once again welcome the World Athletics Relays back to our islands. This event holds a special place in our hearts, symbolizing a bridge between nations brought together by the universal language of sport.”
Prime Minister Davis noted that that year’s theme, “Paradise to Paris,” captured the essence of that journey.
“It is here, amidst the splendor of our sun-kissed beaches and the rhythmic sway of our palms that the chase towards Olympic glory begins anew,” he stated. “We are thrilled to offer a backdrop of unparalleled beauty, where every sprint, every baton pass, and every victory lap is set against the picture-perfect canvas of our islands.”
He added: “To our athletes, I say this: as you stand on the precipice of your dreams, ready to catapult yourself into the annals of history, know that you are part of a legacy of excellence and determination. This weekend, you are not only competitors but also ambassadors of your countries and the spirit of sport. We are especially proud of Team Bahamas, who carry the weight of their performance and the hopes and pride of our nation. You embody the spirit of The Bahamian people, and we are behind you every step of the way.”
Prime Minister said that to the international visitors, he extended “the warmest Bahamian welcome”.
“Over the next few days, as you revel in the thrill of competition, take a moment to bask in the beauty of our island,” he stated. “Discover why we proudly say, “It’s Better in The Bahamas.” Whether it’s the hospitality of our people, the tranquility of our waters, or the rhythm of our culture, you are in for an experience that captures the heart and rejuvenates the soul.”
“Let us celebrate the unity and friendship that sports foster, cheering every athlete and savoring the spectacle of human potential at its best,” Prime Minister Davis added. “I hope the races are swift, the results are inspiring, and the memories are lasting.
“Welcome to The Bahamas, the paradise where champions chase their dreams to Paris. As your host, it is my immense pleasure to declare the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 2024 officially open. Let the games begin.”
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