Key points and live updates from the February 10, 2021 COVID management press conference featuring Dr Anton Best, senior medical officer of health; Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand, public health specialist and co-ordinator of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign; and Major David Clarke of the Barbados Defence Force.
Ambassador Elizabeth Thompson
- There is a vaccinations committee headed by Dr Kenneth Connell.
- It comprises: Maryam Hinds of the Barbados Drug Service, Dr Ingrid Cumberbatch and Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand
- That group will examine the vaccines available across the globe and which are best for us.
- There is a Second Committee dealing with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in 18 to 70 year olds.
- Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand and Major David Clarke are Co-coordinators of the National Vaccination Programme.
- Dame Sandra Mason is doing well.
- She has been fully tested and was negative.
- The GG will be taking the vaccination publicly.
- No word on the Chief Justice.
- Operation Seek and Seek and Save visited 37 034 households.
- Wednesday was a rest day.
- The teams return to the field on Thursday.
Major David Clarke of the Barbados Defence Force
- 9 polyclinics in Barbados
- We will have vaccination teams operating out of polyclinics.
- Only vaccinating those who have not had COVID or showing any symptoms at this time.
- All front line workers, including those at supermarkets.
- As more vaccines come we can have more people vaccinated.
- Teams comprised nine people and will be managed by Public Health Sister.
- There will be a medical doctor to educate and manage you.
- There will be a mandatory 15 minute period after to be monitored.
- A general worker will sanitise after each vaccination.
- Someone to manage flow of people coming in.
- After receiving vaccination you receive a card.
- It has a return date for your second vaccination.
- Mobile teams, drive through teams and static location for areas where there is no polyclinic.
- 30 people were vaccinated today.
- Expect BDF will be completely vaccinated by Monday.
- Vaccinations will start tomorrow with those on Table of Precedence.
- On Monday, it should be at full capacity.
- Vaccinations started today with University students, Chief Medical Officer, BDF team under Major Clarke’s lead, Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand.
- 30 people were vaccinated today.
- Expect BDF will be completely vaccinated by Monday.
- Vaccinations will start tomorrow with those on Table of Precedence
- On Monday, it should be at full capacity.
- Vaccinations started today with University students, Chief Medical Officer, BDF team under Major Clarke’s lead, Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand.
- There are 20 000 people among front line workers alone.
- Officials had to look at numbers and restricted to ensure every entity can function.
- Cabinet/Government structure to start from tomorrow.
- They are still refining, but there are five categories.
- Health care, frontline workers/taxi drivers/security/governance
- Barbados has a large elderly population
- 21 000 over 85 years old
- 44 000 over 75 years old
- 30 per cent of population have NCDs
Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand
- 10 doses in each vial
- Each dose is 0.5 mls
- Will be injected in the deltoid muscle.
- Wait 15 minutes to be monitored before going home.
- UWI is to be doing a study on if Astra Zeneca works (efficacy) especially in over 65 year-old.
- Hoping for scientific evidence but will look at figures post vaccinations.
- We want to save lives.
- We want to reduce morbidity.
- Continue with hand washing, sanitising and physical distancing.
- To have herd immunity, the ideal is to have 60 to 70 per cent of population vaccinated.
Dr Anton Best
- Operation Seek and save identified 236 people with symptoms of Covid
- 105 rapid tests – five diagnosed yesterday
- They were informed and transported to Blackman Gollop.
- Covid is affecting everyone
- Emphasis on those with co-morbidities and over 60 because they have worse outcomes.
- Officials are not only focusing on them alone, but also on young people
- Children and young people are vulnerable.
- The vaccine will work to reduce transmission.
