Even though a seasonal increase in COVID cases is expected in the coming weeks, there is no word on when Cayman will receive its supply of booster shots.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Gent, in an emailed response on Monday following Cayman Compass queries on the booster programme, said, “the Ministry of Health & Wellness is unable to confirm when the COVID-19 boosters will arrive in the Cayman Islands due to delays in the supply system from the United Kingdom”.
He said the bivalent boosters, which will include an Omicron element, are being supplied by the UK and transported by Cayman’s Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Though there is no timeline on when the boosters will arrive, Gent believes the local immunity within the community will help lessen the severity of cases.
“While a seasonal increase in the number of infections is expected, it is likely that most cases will be relatively mild given the high rates of existing immunity from prior vaccinations and infection,” he said.
The ministry, he said, does not expect a major outbreak as seen in the first global waves of infection; however, “it remains vigilant and will continue to monitor local infection”.
At the start of the pandemic in 2020, the UK supplied Cayman with vaccines and, later on, boosters.
Though the number of individuals seeking the additional shots was low, the ministry has committed to continuing the booster programme.
In August, the Public Health Department announced the transition from administering COVID-19 vaccines monthly to offering them seasonally.
The change came as cases of COVID-19 declined globally and the last batch of Moderna vaccines on island reached their expiration dates.
The number of COVID cases in Cayman remains unknown as reporting of an infection is not mandatory and the statistics are no longer publicly released.
While the community awaits the arrival of the boosters, Gent said, as always, his recommendation remains that people continue to practise good personal hygiene.
Gent said practising “regular handwashing, covering sneezes and staying home when unwell – as well as taking up the boosters when they become available on island” remains his advice.
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With a billion dollar plus budget isn’t it time we sourced our own rather continue to rely on the hard pressed British taxpayer?.
Call it what it is … This is a failure to protect the people of Cayman from Covid. Those who are immune compromised, planning travel and everyone else on the islands are now at a higher level of risk of covid because the failure of the Ministry of Health to acquire vaccines.
no, no, nope