Minnis Joins Frontline and Rallies with Other Doctors to Vaccinate Populace
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Prime Minister Hubert Minnis will join other healthcare workers in vaccinating the populace which he believes will help control the spread of COVID-19 and prevent further burden on health facilities in the country.
Minnis was speaking at a press conference at Jet Nassau on Tuesday after receiving 33,600 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is the country’s third tranche of pre-paid vaccines through the COVAX Facility.
Minnis who has served more than 40 years as a medical doctor, will volunteer his services to help the country in its vaccination drive.
“I’ve had a discussion with my Cabinet and gotten agreement from Cabinet colleagues that as a medical doctor, I will volunteer my services with other medical colleagues to assist in the vaccination of the Bahamian populace throughout the country.”
The big story
The country has had a total of 15,046 cases of the virus since the pandemic began. Thirty-five new cases were reported on Monday and the death of a 36-year-old woman was reported by health officials.
Since the introduction of the vaccine, it has been met with hesitancy, and the issuance was limited to second doses only since supplies were low.
This new tranche means more residents and citizens, wanting to take the jab, can be inoculated as vaccination centers reopen.
State of play
While many argue that vaccinated people can contract the virus too, Minnis said, the unvaccinated face more dire consequences.
“It is the unvaccinated who are dying. It is the unvaccinated who are becoming sick. It is the unvaccinated who are hospitalized. It is the unvaccinated who are utilizing the intensive care unit.”
Dr. Nikkiah Forbes, Director of the Infectious Disease Programme at the Ministry of Health stated last week that more than 98% of hospitalizations and deaths at the Princess Margaret Hospital are unvaccinated people.
