Barbados to begin Pfizer vaccination from today

Barbados: The Pfizer vaccine will be introduced into the COVID-19 national vaccination program from today, Thursday, August 19th, but it will be introduced in a short trial run among selected groups before being made available to the general public.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George unveiled at the last City Hall meeting on COVID-19 vaccination and testing, held at Combermere School.

"It's going to be a limited rollout. We do individuals like recruits from the Barbados Army and other small groups as a trial run. Later next week, we are going to the general population, with a view to soon, once the Ministry of Education is happy and we are going through a few steps, to invite younger individuals to get the vaccines that have been approved by persons of 12 years and older,” Dr George announced. He noted that those who want to be vaccinated against the infection should make an appointment via www.vaccine.gov.bb, adding that they will have the option to choose their preferred vaccine. "Currently, the choices are Sinopharm, Pfizer, and once we have Astrazeneca, the choice is available to you. You can either say any, or you choose your individual vaccine that you like.”

In response to a question from an audience member about the possibility that Barbados could get COVID-19 vaccines from Cuba, Dr George indicated that the authorities are open to this option.

"The answer to that question is yes. We have indicated that vaccines must be approved by the WHO (World Health Organization) and that SAGE (Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization Working Groups) must be approved.

"SAGE is a group of specialists who come together and make decisions about vaccines. They examine the evidence and present a point of view on the basis of their scientific themes. "Once the Cuban vaccine has undergone the rigorous process, Barbados will certainly be prepared to look favorably on vaccines coming from Cuba," he explained.