Topic: Flu season

Public Health officials have said they are seeing spikes in reports of the cold and flu symptoms in recent weeks; however, they say those numbers are still below levels recorded in previous years thanks to Cayman's COVID-19 health measures.

Supplies of Cayman's free flu vaccine is temporarily unavailable, the Public Health Department announced on Tuesday, adding that more doses have been ordered.

Cayman’s adherence to COVID-19 protocols has led to a more than 50% drop in flu cases, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez has said.

Local health officials have stressed the need for residents to get vaccinated against the flu, as the newly opened flu clinic is seeing up to 200 cases per week.

Cayman’s Health Services Authority said there has been a 27.5% increase in the number of patients seeking medical care for flu-like symptoms in January when compared to December 2019.

“Each year, we ordered about 3,000 doses of vaccines,” said Joanna Rose-Wright, of the HSA’s Public Health Department, adding that this year, the vaccination programme got off to a late start, but still administered 2,250 vaccines within two weeks. “There has never been a time when we have administered more than 2,000 doses in two weeks,” she said.

This year’s flu vaccine has arrived at the Health Services Authority hospitals and clinics.

Cayman Islands officials say it is not too late to vaccinate against the flu this season. To encourage more people to do so, free vaccinations are being offered at the General Practice Clinic at the Cayman Islands Hospital and all district health centers from 2-4 p.m.