COVID vaccines criteria and vaccination schedule

26 January 2021, 05:12 AM

Health

The Public Health department continues its COVID-19 vaccination programme for all persons in Stage 1, Groups A, B, C which is healthcare workers, persons with serious medical conditions who are vulnerable and at high risk of severe illness and those who are the age of 60 and older.

The national vaccination effort will continue this coming week as we administer the second dose to those people who had their first doses 21 days ago. We will also be starting our next stage of vaccination from Wednesday 27^th January onwards. Similar to Stage 1, Stage 2 will be broken into two groups and will begin with all persons over the age of 16 with a medical condition who are vulnerable. The Public is reminded to adhere to the published schedule to limit congestion at the various vaccination sites.

Stage One:

Group A

Residents and staff of institutional facilities

Individuals aged 70+

Healthcare workers and first responders

All frontline staff dealing with incoming travellers

Group B

Adults 60+ or with a relevant health status

Group C

Workers essential to Government continuity

Stage Two:

Group A

Anyone aged 16-60 with relevant medical conditions predisposing to COVID-19

Group B

Those living at home with persons from stage one of the programme

Essential workers, teachers, school staff

Stage Three:

Those aged 50+

Everyone else 16+ who has not been vaccinated

“I’m pleased to see the excitement to get the vaccine. However, it’s important that we continue to focus our first efforts on the vulnerable as they are at most risk of a poor outcome should they contract COVID-19,” stated Dr John Lee, Chief Medical Officer. “We ask that persons please be patient and come for the vaccine when your stage and group are called.”

Persons over 60 years old are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine as they are some of the most vulnerable and we want to keep them protected when our borders open. If you are home bound and unable to attend one of the vaccination clinics, please contact the Flu Hotline or your local HSA District Health Centre and arrangements will be made to with a Public Health nurse to provide your vaccine in the comfort of your home.

Private physicians with elderly or home care patients are encouraged to make contact as well. The Governor, Mr Martyn Roper OBE, confirmed last week that the UK will be sending a further 9,750 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on the British Airways flight arriving on 28th January, and is making arrangements for a third delivery in February.

Persons are reminded that the date noted on their vaccination card for the second dose is the ‘earliest date’ in which they can receive the vaccine, however, persons are asked to wait until they are Stage/Group are advised come to the clinic before doing so.

“I’d like to again thank the Public Health team who has been working tirelessly to help disseminate this vaccine the community,” said Dr Lee. “This team provides many services to our community including the COVID vaccines, COVID testing, home healthcare and child immunisations. This can be stressful time for all as we are all working through the complexities of a global pandemic, so I ask that we all remember to be Cayman-Kind.”

If getting your second dose, you MUST also bring along your vaccination card reflecting your first dose. Persons receiving the vaccine must wear a facemask, present a Government photo ID and sign the COVID-19 vaccine consent form. The form is available at https://hsa.ky/public-health/coronavirus/ or https://bit.ly/3ot0IG3.

For persons attending the COVID Vaccine Clinic at the Cayman Islands Hospital, please park in the Seventh Day Adventist Church adjacent to A&E.

HSA Flu Hotline - 1-800-534-8600 or 925-6327 or flu@hsa.ky

District Health Centre Contact Numbers