Dr. Gina Archer, while giving a presentation to the Proposed Rotary Club of South Ocean on February 18th, strongly advised attendees that “vaccines save millions of lives each year” and therefore there was no need “to listen to the voices in the market” that contradicted the importance of vaccinations.
According to Dr. Archer, key aspects of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan are well advanced and focuses predominantly on ensuring the safe import, transport, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines throughout The Bahamas.
Dr. Gina Archer, while giving a presentation to the Proposed Rotary Club of South Ocean on February 18th, strongly advised attendees that “vaccines save millions of lives each year” and therefore there was no need “to listen to the voices in the market” that contradicted the importance of vaccinations.
According to Dr. Archer, key aspects of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan are well advanced and focuses predominantly on ensuring the safe import, transport, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines throughout The Bahamas.
Given the archeological orientation of The Bahamas, the logistical aspects of COVID- 19 vaccination distribution and administration has been one of the most challenging aspects of COVID-19 vaccine process. Dr Archer indicated that to date general ports of entry have identified in New Providence and the Family Islands, clearance processes have been streamlined, storage facilities have been identified, air and ground transportation has been identified, security is in place, and the strategic roll out campaign is being finalized ahead of the arrival of the first batch of vaccines in- country.
Speaking on the Government’s efforts to safely introduce the COVID-19 vaccine in The Bahamas, Dr. Archer noted that the Government has developed a National COVID-19 Strategic Plan that receives input from a total of 9 workstreams:
Prioritization, targeting and surveillance
Demand generation and communication
Monitoring and evaluation
Service delivery
Logistics and cold chain
Training and supervision
Safety surveillance
Regulatory
Finance
Dr. Archer noted that the COVAX Facility ensures that individuals globally are able to have access to the COVID-19 vaccines irrespective of their socioeconomic status. To date, through the COVAX Facility, the Government has been able to secure vaccines for approximately 20% of the population. Dr. Archer noted that the Government recognize that 20% is insufficient and noted that “the Government is still pursuing other bilateral agreements with innovators to procure some more vaccines for in-country.”
Three priority groups have been identified for the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
— Group 1 consists of healthcare workers, first responders, the elderly and elderly care providers.
— Group 2 consists of school staff, child care workers, disabled persons, and those with comorbidities.
— Group 3 consists of all others not previously identified.
Asked whether appropriate messaging will be made available to residents in The Bahamas around the COVID-19 vaccines, Dr. Archer said the messaging has already began to be rolled out and additional messaging is underway.
Additionally when questioned about the measures that will be put in place to ensure vaccines go to persons that should be receiving it based on priority groupings, Dr. Archer said that vaccine security has been tighten and the administration of the vaccines will be based on an appointment system. In order to make an appointment, individuals will be required to meet certain criteria which would confirm eligibility. Additionally, Dr. Archer noted that vaccines will be tracked “down to the dose”.
As of 16 February 2021, there were 69 COVID-19 vaccines in clinical development, 181 in pre-clinical development, and 8 vaccines available for use around the world.