Cayman will continue to offer vaccines and boosters to the entire community while considering expanding delivery through local pharmacists, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Gent has said.
This move is in contrast to recently announced UK policy changes which will see Britain’s COVID-19 vaccination programme move from a universal approach to targeting vulnerable groups only.
Gent, in response to Cayman Compass queries on the change in UK policy, said, “The Ministry of Health and Wellness is also looking at ways to enhance services related to greater access to immunisation, including the possibility of seeing delivery by a wider range of health professionals, including pharmacists.”
While he was aware that the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommendation was likely to be taken up in Britain, Gent said in Cayman the approach will still be determined “based on our unique context”.
“For example, we have to remember that given Cayman’s transient community, and the size of the diaspora of residents within our shores from the Pacific Rim regions, we have an additional interest in monitoring the situation in China,” Gent said.
This means that Cayman will maintain a service that ensures that all vulnerable people can get boosters at the most appropriate time of the year and that any non-immunised people can still obtain primary immunisation regardless of vulnerability, he added.
He said Cayman will “continue to operate a system that allows anyone that wants to receive a booster to get one, even though our priority will be the most vulnerable”.
He added that the Ministry of Health and Wellness will more closely coordinate the flu and COVID-19 vaccination programmes.
Last week, the JCVI recommended the UK move from a pandemic emergency response to a more targeted approach.
The committee advised that, over 2023, the primary course vaccination should move towards protecting individuals at higher risk of severe COVID-19.
It also announced the end of the UK’s autumn 2022 booster campaign, stating that the offer of a free first booster – or third dose – will end on 12 Feb. 2023. After that date, the booster offer will no longer be available for people aged 16 to 49 years who are not in a clinical risk group.
However, Cayman’s vaccination clinics will remain open to anyone seeking vaccination or boosters.
As for vaccine supplies, the Health Services Authority has said there are approximately 2,500 doses of Moderna vaccines in stock with an expiry date of 27 April, as well as about 12,000 doses of the Pfizer shot due to expire on 31 March with another 500 expiring on 30 April.
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