NASSAU, Bahamas — The number of COVID-19 vaccination slots will nearly double next week as the National COVID-19 Consultative Vaccine Committee ramps up vaccination efforts amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in The Bahamas, according to committee chair Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis.
During a virtual press conference on Sunday, August 15, Dahl-Regis said additional vaccination centers will be opened on New Providence and Grand Bahama this week to accommodate the roll-out of the Pfizer vaccine, The Nassau Guardian reported.
“Over the next week, August 16th to 20th, there are 7,514 appointments already booked. This includes 4,603 or 61 percent first doses, and 2,911 or 39 percent second doses,” she said.
“This represents 96 percent of the appointment slots available online up until Friday of this week.
“During the week of the 23rd of August, we anticipate that a total of 17,100 appointments will be available. Our goal is to fully vaccinate 60,000 Bahamians and residents over the next six weeks.”
Dahl-Regis said the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available to the general public as of Thursday at Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium. However, the committee will carry out an assessment of the vaccine administration on a select group of adults and children over the age of 12 today.
The public can also begin booking appointments for the Pfizer vaccine today, starting at 3 p.m.
“As part of the push to get as many shots in arms as quickly as possible, the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, Loyola Hall and Melia vaccination centers on New Providence will also be opened over this coming weekend, on Saturday and Sunday,” Dahl-Regis said.
On Grand Bahama, an assessment of the administration of the Pfizer vaccine will be carried out this coming weekend, followed by a full roll-out on August 23, Dahl-Regis added. See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/vaccination-program-to-be-accelerated/
