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Healthcare & frontline workers first to get COVID-19 vaccine - Hon Malone

-Vaccination will be executed in phased approach based on risks
Hon Carvin Maline urged members of the public to remain patient and calm as a recently appointed steering committees do their work to ensure a safe and efficient roll-out of vaccine across the Territory. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Healthcare & frontline workers will be at the front of the line for COVID-19 vaccination, when some 8,000 doses of the AstraZeneca AZD1222 COVID-19 vaccine arrives in the Virgin Islands (VI) on February 4, 2021. Photo: Internet Source
Healthcare & frontline workers will be at the front of the line for COVID-19 vaccination, when some 8,000 doses of the AstraZeneca AZD1222 COVID-19 vaccine arrives in the Virgin Islands (VI) on February 4, 2021. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Healthcare & frontline workers will be at the front of the line for COVID-19 vaccination, when some 8,000 doses of the AstraZeneca AZD1222 COVID-19 vaccine arrives in the Virgin Islands (VI) on February 4, 2021.

“The Government has taken this approach to ensure a comprehensive program of vaccine rollout.  The team will begin communicating early and putting plans in place for delivery of vaccine in a phased approach to the public,” Hon Malone said on a statement on Thursday, January 28, 2021. 

Phased approach to distribution

After healthcare and frontline workers, phase two of vaccination will be focusing on people with underlying conditions that put them at risk of severe COVID-19 disease or death, and persons over 60 years.

Phase three will cover essential workers at high risk of exposure; such as teachers, school staff, workers and persons in care homes, shelters, prisoners and prison staff along with hospitality workers.

Phase four will cover young adults and finally, phase five will focus on all remaining residents in the territory.

“The Government is committed to providing this vaccine without cost to the public through the public health system and also making it available through private providers and will seek to ensure that access through the private sector will be at a reasonable cost,” Hon Malone further said.

‘Remain patient’ – Hon Malone to eager residents 

He reminded that members of the public remain patient and calm as a recently appointed steering committees do their work to ensure a safe and efficient roll-out of vaccine across the Territory.

“While the Government will adhere to the above it is important to understand that as far as possible all persons who want access to the vaccine must and will be afforded that opportunity,” Hon Malone reiterated. 

He said future tranches of the vaccine will continue to be delivered based on the uptake and disbursement of this initial batch of vaccine donated by the UK.

35 Responses to “Healthcare & frontline workers first to get COVID-19 vaccine - Hon Malone”

  • Really (30/01/2021, 12:11) Like (0) Dislike (14) Reply
    This might work for Tortola but yet again no planning thought for outer islands. Jost & Anegada the fullpopulation that wants the vaccine and available to get it should be given in the same day, max 150 on each island.
    • @ Really (30/01/2021, 15:12) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      The “Territory” includes the other islands that comprise the BVI.
    • Tell us more (31/01/2021, 05:59) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      What's are all the benefits of taking the vaccine,,,,
      • Rubber Duck (31/01/2021, 11:03) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
        Your chance of catching Covid is greatly reduced , by as much as 90%. If you do catch Covid after vaccination your chance or dying from it or of being seriously ill is reduced to almost zero.
        • @rubber duck (31/01/2021, 11:44) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
          Tell that to all those people who died or got Bell’s palsy or those who lost control of their bodies with seizure like behavior lol
        • FEO GOMEZ (01/02/2021, 07:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          Chupes you sound so stupid boss its a crap shoot. 1 bullet six chambers and spin that what it is taking vaccine. Some will not feel anything and others will get phked up. Which one will you be?
  • Accountant (30/01/2021, 12:28) Like (32) Dislike (4) Reply
    Just keep this devil poop from down BVIEC, we don’t want it !
  • facts (30/01/2021, 12:29) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
    Once ain’t mandatory y’all can poison who y’all want
  • grim reaper (30/01/2021, 12:30) Like (27) Dislike (5) Reply
    Only the strong and intelligent will survive, people who take it and says “see I’m still alive”, let’s see if you say that in the next year or two lol
  • Word from the wise (30/01/2021, 12:31) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    "If the product is free, you are the product"
  • Tuskegee Experiment (30/01/2021, 12:32) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    When the government says “we’re here to help” you need to run in the opposite direction
  • Minister 1st (30/01/2021, 12:44) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Didn’t the Health Minister said he’d be the 1st?
  • WEW (30/01/2021, 12:47) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    First all the big named belongers then their cronies. Then see how much more we get
  • Uncle Ruckus (30/01/2021, 12:52) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    yep the first man Dead!
  • Big Jabber (30/01/2021, 13:55) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Al our dear government leaders are to be entitled to two doses of vaccine administered by injection into their buttocks
  • Here Comes The Boom... (30/01/2021, 19:04) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Well if you refuse it here, you might get away with it. Tell me something, do you like to travel. Just like taking tests prior to travelling is seemingly becoming mandatory before travelling to certain places, I bet you money that taking the vaccine before travel will be become mandatory as well. Just a thought.
    • question (31/01/2021, 06:05) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why should I take the vaccine,, , the vaccine is to restore some level of normalcy,,, Can I live normal after talking the vaccine,,,,,,,,,, Is there a regional plan like countries agreeing to Who take the vaccine can move freely without quarantine
      • @questions (31/01/2021, 08:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        These are all very valid questions the government should answer. They busy talking about phases and haven’t discussed any other related plans and concerns from the people re the vaccine and Covid restricted traveling and quarantining. Always working backwards
      • Spreader (31/01/2021, 11:09) Like (1) Dislike (14) Reply
        People who are vaccinated will not suffer seriously from Covid even if they catch it, which is unlikely. However they can still spread it to unvaccinated idiots such as yourself who might well suffer badly or even die. Though that of course would have the benefit of improving the gene pool.
    • Johnson and johnson (31/01/2021, 06:10) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      That seems to be the better one ,, it has a good balance not too strong, it's a one shot and it helped with existing conditions,,,,,,,,, They will always send us the worst the rejected ones,,,,
  • lord send help (30/01/2021, 19:43) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    We are not ready for any vaccine as yet. It is not mandatory they cannot force ppl to take something that's is not healthy. Minister think again or go back to your drawing board. Ppl who are Diabetic, Hypertension, kidney problems cannot take no vaccines. Am not taking it any how. Not my husband either. He already feeble and none going to kill him b4 GOD ready for him or for us. Good night and have a bless on.
  • don’t want it (31/01/2021, 03:49) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    It’s good to see many are doing their research as such they knows this vaccine is the devil and his associates.
  • What rush? (31/01/2021, 07:49) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sir do you believe your people are that gullible for this vaccine. This seems to be a code of speech given by all leaders to deceive those who are not for the vaccine. To make believing there is a rush. STAY WOKE!
  • think about it (31/01/2021, 08:47) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
    The level of ignorance posted in some of these comments is just astounding and sad, but not surprising given the BVIs lack of investment in education for the last 30 years. The choice is we all get the vaccine, and move on from this pandemic, or we continue with the pandemic. There is not much in between. Those who are not vaccinated will keep passing on the virus. The virus has no brain. It does not care. It is essentially a parasite looking for the next warm body to grow on-that'll be those who reject vaccinations. The more the virus replicates, the more mutations, potentially rendering vaccines less effective. We have a moral duty to do what is right for the community, unless we truly do not care about who lives and dies among us. The BVIs with its small population is in a unique position to get a large percentage of the population vaccinated, which means that then the place can re-open.

    The rest of the world is moving on as fast as it can. The pandemic has affected practically everyone in the planet. Places that will have gotten things under control will shun going to places that have not. Worse yet, they are not going to be welcoming to those hailing from places where most people have this fantasy that the vaccine is created to control our minds, or that it is some kind of evil ju-ju.

    And, to those of you rejecting the vaccine, remember it's been developed using the same scientific approach that brought us other medications. So, if you're going to be true to your stance, then next time you or your children are ill, shun the doctor and nurse for he too (in your minds) is part of the same cabal.
    • Thought about it (31/01/2021, 23:54) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Think about it
      Well so be it!.. There is currently no vaccine for HIV or Herpes and persons are living with it aren't they? Correct me if I'm wrong aren't the two above not viruses?! HIV has the ability to kill you can't it? SO WHERE IS THE VACCINE FOR THOSE?! Aids is rampant in America especially Atlanta and it is still one of the most populated and visited states regardless! Stop trying to infiltrate persons minds with your beliefs. They're not sheeple! Look at what they're doing to the people in Africa?! Treating them like lab rats because it's a poor nation!!! Ah beg yuh please go siddung because the world has still been going on even after the SARS virus!
  • Rubber Duck (31/01/2021, 11:18) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    The percentage of people who are vaccinated will be a big determining factor in where tourists go in the future. Places with high numbers of unvaccinated will be avoided.
    • FEO GOMEZ (01/02/2021, 14:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Oh really? Well I weigh our tourism product against anything. THEY WILL COME.
  • Health care worker (01/02/2021, 15:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    when all the health care workers get the vaccine first and something were to go wrong who is going to take care of the healthcare workers if they all get sick after taking this vaccine?


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