PM: Vaccine will be distributed as single doses and one jab per person

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

As of Saturday, March 13, 2021

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has said all 20,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is set to roll out next week, will be distributed as single doses and one jab per person.

He said officials will not distribute the vaccinations “half-half” because they expect to receive additional doses by the time the first set of vaccinated individuals are ready for their second shot.

Dr Minnis made the comments while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Inagua Passport Office opening ceremony.

“Remember we have an additional 33,700 on its way and that should be here in a matter of weeks, if not sooner,” he stated. “And then we’re in discussion (for an) additional few hundred thousand so we’re on our way”.

The Prime Minister said he could not speak on what portion of the 20,000 doses would be sent to the Family Islands or the amount that would be distributed to persons living in the capital. Still, he said the committee is working to address the matter.

“I think the committee, they are drawing up their plans (and) their protocols and they will deal with that,” he said. “So it’s no political involvement, it will be fair play and our objective (and) our goal is to ensure that each and every Bahamian is vaccinated...I and my cabinet I'm sure will take the vaccine as soon as possible. But as I said, the vaccination committee, they set the protocols and all the plans so we would just fall in line essentially”.

Asked whether it was frustrating to deal with the difficulty of getting vaccines into the country, he added: “It placed a difficult challenge on us. The longer the delay in obtaining the vaccine we must continue to strengthen measures in terms of protocol and continue to balance safety (and) life versus economy. And I think we have balanced it so well and have been doing that for such a long time I think we have basically struck the chord and know how to do that.

“And we are more than happy that the vaccines have arrived and we’ll be even happier as more comes into our country and young individuals step forward, receive the vaccine and preach the word and inform the public as to how important it is to receive the vaccine so that we can get back to normal life as quickly as possible”.

The recent spike of positive cases on Abaco has left some residents concerned that the island’s restrictions could be extended. However, Dr Minnis said officials will continue to “monitor the situation and be directed by the science” before determining whether the safety measures would be lifted or prolonged.

“As you know we brought the curfew down to 8 o’clock. The feeling is if that had not been done then we would have been in an even worse situation than we are in today. But the science, the doctors and the scientists are continuously monitoring the situation and they would inform us as to the way forward, relaxation of restrictions, etc”.

On Friday Dr Minnis was also asked if he still intended to legislate a term limit for the office of the Prime Minister, he stated: “That hasn’t changed. I have one more term. Election is due by May of next year. Whenever election is called, then I have no doubt we’ll win. I'd roll in to my last and final term. I would legislate it as quickly as possible. However, I most certainly would adhere to what has been said”.

This story originally stated that the vaccine would be distributed “as single doses and two jabs per person”. It has been corrected.

FreeUs242 3 years, 8 months ago

Is He vaccinated yet, he should get the first dose.

tribanon 3 years, 8 months ago

He can have my dose of the freebie COVAXIN AstraZeneca stuff, so give him a double dose; he fully deserves it. LOL

newcitizen 3 years, 8 months ago

There is still no mention of obtaining any more vaccines than what Covax is providing. How they are expecting to vaccinate every Bahamian when they have vaccines for less than 15% of the population? Why have no purchase agreements been made with the vaccine manufacturers?

xtreme2x 3 years, 8 months ago

I and my cabinet I'm sure will take the vaccine as soon as possible. But as I said, the vaccination committee, they set the protocols and all the plans so we would just fall in line essentially”.Strong****

i SAY TO THE COMMITTEE, START WITH THE LEADERS. THEN THE FRONT LINERS.

bahamianson 3 years, 8 months ago

Hold on, you are trying to encourage people to take the vaccine , and you are referring to the vaccine as JABS? How archaic. I don't want anyone to JAB me because it sounds offensive and scary. Maybe, we can have more bed side manners and call it a mild term. Imagine you telling a child that you have to go to the doctor , and he/she is going to JAB you. Do you think the child will welcome the needle? Doctor 101, use mild terms that patients can relate to and have enjoyable feelings about. The word JAB certainly does not convey kindness and trust.

OMG 3 years, 8 months ago

Get over it Karen

ohdrap4 3 years, 8 months ago

No problem. Just tell the kid:

SON, WE ARE GOING TO THE NURSE AND SHE IS GOING TO GIVE YOU A SHOT.

Clamshell 3 years, 8 months ago

🤣🤣🤣

Economist 3 years, 8 months ago

" which is set to roll out next week,"

Hold on, didn't the vaccine arrive on Wednesday? Why did "the Committee" not have a plan in place when the vacine arrived? They knew that the product was arriving.

Now you have to wonder what power failures of breakdown of refridgerators will cause some or much of the vaccine to be rendered useless by the time it is give out.

Must be a Civil Servants committeee.

Clamshell 3 years, 8 months ago

Well, Thursday is close to Friday, and nobody works on Friday, then come da weekend, so ... gotta wait to next week. It’s da Bahamas, eh?

MrsQ 3 years, 8 months ago

The Tribune needs to stop referring to the vaccination process as a "jab." Grown-ups use the term "injection."

Cobalt 3 years, 8 months ago

Jab is the proper medical term used during the administration of an IM (intramuscular) or Sub- q (subcutaneous) injection you dumb, uneducated, unread, illiterate Jackass!! It’s not a term coined by the Tribune. It’s medical terminology! Man y’all Bahamians dumb!! Jesus!!!

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