Cayman’s long-awaited supply of the COVID-19 booster is now on island and will be available for public distribution soon, health officials have confirmed.
The boosters, which were due to arrive last October, had been hit by supply-chain delays in the UK.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Gent, in response to Cayman Compass queries, confirmed on Thursday that Cayman’s shipment of the COVID-19 boosters has arrived and more information on how and when to get it will be provided by the Health Services Authority.
There have been mounting concerns over the lack of availability of the boosters, as Cayman faces a seasonal increase in the number of cases of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.
Gent said Cayman’s bivalent boosters, which will include an Omicron element, have been obtained from the UK stockpile.
“The vaccines are free to us, but the Cayman Islands Government is covering the transportation cost,” he explained in his emailed comments.
He said this supply is “expected to last us through this winter and next (both in terms of numbers and shelf life).”
Last August, the Public Health Department announced that it would move away from administering COVID-19 vaccines monthly, to offering them seasonally for the elderly and vulnerable.
This change came as cases of COVID-19 declined globally and the last batch of Moderna vaccines on island reached their expiration date.
Number of local COVID cases unknown
When it comes to COVID cases, Gent said the ministry has limited information on the total number of cases in the community.
“We do know that there are very few hospitalisations due to COVID-19 at this time and none of these cases are severely ill,” he said.
Even with the spike in respiratory illnesses, Gent said, at this time there are no plans to reintroduce any COVID protocols.
He said the recommendations for the public remains the same, which is covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and washing and/or sanitising hands before/after touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
The chief medical officer also recommended “using masks when appropriate and using tissues and disposing of them properly”.
Gent reminded that anyone who are suffering from a respiratory infection, whether caused by COVID-19, influenza or the common cold, is advised to remain at home if symptomatic, febrile (having or showing symptoms of fever), coughing, with a runny nose, muscle aches or chills.
“Return to work after being symptom free for a minimum of 24 hours (if febrile, 24 hours from when the fever breaks) [and] practice respiratory hygiene,” he added.
Influenza has also been identified in local specimens.
The HSA, in its information page on the virus, said anyone can get influenza, but rates of infection are highest among children.
“For most people, symptoms last only a few days. They include fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache, and muscle aches. Other illnesses can have the same symptoms and are often mistaken for influenza. An annual flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get flu and lessen the chance that you will transmit it to others,” it says.
The flu shot is available at all district health centres Monday to Friday from 2pm to 4pm.
Gent has advised residents and visitors who may need additional guidance to contact the HSA’s general information line on 1-800-534-8600, 947-3077, or email [email protected].
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