Get vaccinated early, quickly

One senior government official is urging all Barbadians to get vaccinated early and quickly.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance Ryan Straughn made this comment during a donation of $20,000 from the Co-Operators General Insurance to the government and its national vaccination fund on Wednesday. 

He said that as long the vaccine programme can reach all Barbadians, he is confident that it will be successful. Straughn reaffirmed that government will spend what is necessary to get Barbadians vaccinated. During the last financial year, the amount of $25 million was allocated to the procurement and supply for the vaccination exercise.  

He acknowledged that the COVID-19 cases are increasing on the dashboard. Despite this development, the government will ensure that vaccine is available to those who wanted it. Barbados has continued to acquire vaccines but it has been challenging. He indicated that $10.9 million have been collected with $7.4 million transferred to The Treasury. 

Extended hours at vaccination sites 

Co-coordinator of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign, Major David Clarke, explained that the vaccination centres' operation times have been extended. He indicated some sites which have these new hours are the vaccination centre in Harbour Road, St.Michael; drive-up sites, Springer Memorial School, Seventh Day Adventist Church in St Peter; and pop-up site in Black Bess, St.Peter. In his update, he disclosed that 400 shut-ins are scheduled for their first or second shot of the vaccine. 

The National COVID-19 vaccination campaign Co-coordinator also said that 28,000 persons are due to get their second doses of the vaccine.  

Major Clarke noted that 4000 people have not returned for their second dose of AstraZeneca. He explained that some people have gotten their second dose overseas while some people are returning to Barbados and getting their second dose. The military official said this situation is a balancing act.