Bahamas receives third tranche of 33,600 pre-paid vaccines from COVAX

Bahamas: On Tuesday, the government of the Bahamas received an additional batch of 33,600 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines pre-paid in the third tranche through the COVAX Facility.

Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis thanked the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) for its “generous” assistance during this period of crisis.

“From this tranche, we will return 5,000 doses of vaccines that we were fortunate to receive from Antigua and Barbuda as a part of an exchange in late June.”[caption id="attachment_36551" align="aligncenter" width="100%"] COVAX vaccine supply to the Bahamas[/caption]

He also thanked the Caribbean neighbours, including Montserrat and Anguilla, as well the government of the UK for their collaboration and assistance.

“Starting today, now that we have more vaccines, and as a part of the continued aggressive rollout of vaccines, more appointments for first and second doses will be made available on New Providence and Grand Bahama,” said PM Minnis.

People interested in getting vaccination can visit vax.gov.bs to book their appointment for inoculation.

Prime Minister also announced that starting from Monday 9th of August, additional centres will be opened in different areas of the country to make the vaccine available for the masses. The new centres will include, the Church of God of Prophecy on East Street, Baha Mar Convention Centre, St Anslem’s Church Hall will start functioning on August 9, 10 and 11, respectively.[caption id="attachment_36552" align="aligncenter" width="100%"] Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis while receiving the COVID-19 vaccines at the airport in the Bahamas[/caption]

PM added that walk-in appointments would be available at the health centres. “The Bahamas government is working very closely with the Caricom and the United States government regarding a donation of vaccines from the US government.” Last week the Bahamas government received four ultra-cold freezers donated by the US Embassy, 3 freezers will be used at the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Unit in New Providence.

“We were taught in medical school how quickly a virus adapts to efforts to stop its spread, especially when a large number of people remain unvaccinated. This is why it is important for as many people to get vaccinated as quickly as possible,” emphasized PM Minnis.