The latest data from the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) has shown that more than 17,000 persons have been vaccinated against COVID-19. This might seem like quite the achievement but the Ministry says that they are not exactly hitting their mark of getting the over 18 population vaccinated. The MOHW has decided to start their vaccination exercise in phases after receiving 1,000 doses of the two-dose vaccine from Barbados and 25,000 from the people and Government of India. The exercise started recently, with frontline healthcare workers and the more vulnerable populations of the country, including persons over the age of 60, being given first preference.
According to Dr. Natalia Beer, Maternal & Child Health Technical Advisor with the MOHW, those persons have been slow in coming to get vaccinated. She pleaded with the media on behalf of the Ministry to use their influence to encourage this elderly population. While we are now in phase two of the exercise, which focuses on teachers and police officers, members of the National Assembly, customs and immigration officers, and workers of the tourism sector, there is some need to catch up on their first phase.
It is necessary that special attention be paid to these persons over 60 given the very severe, and often fatal, effects which can occur. We have had 316 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Belize since March 2020 and a very significant percentage of those deaths were the elderly, especially those with co-morbidities.
The target for this particular population is close to 25,000 persons but so far, only around 8,400 persons, or 33%, over 60 have been vaccinated. Dr. Beer says that a lot can contribute to this low percentage, including fear and misinformation, little access to transportation, and in some cases, elders having to care for other elders. Not too long ago, reports emerged from European countries that AstraZeneca increased the chances of blood clots. Undoubtedly, this would cause widespread concern but there has actually been very insignificant correlation of the vaccine to blood clots. Health sources quote that “COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca is not associated with an increased overall risk of blood clotting disorders.” Secondly, despite a number of vaccination sites being set up all over the country, there is still limited transportation for some elders. Furthermore, some might live in more rural areas and be unable to visit. Still, it is increasingly necessary for these persons to become vaccinated and for the right information to be disseminated. As a result, Dr. Beer reminds the population that the side effects are very mild for the first dose and even milder for the second dose. Even more so, the effects are a lot more bearable than the symptoms of COVID-19 itself.
