(CMR) The government kicked off its Vaccination Challenge Event on Saturday at the Owen Roberts International Airport with several PACT members getting their first Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 dose. With over 1,000 persons the vaccines during yesterday's festivities, the general consensus is that the new drive to get people vaccinated is off to a successful start.
Government members who received their first shot included Ministers Christopher Saunders, Kenneth Bryan, Jay Ebanks, Andre Ebanks along with Parliamentary Secretaries Issac Rankine and Heather Bodden. Deputy Speaker of Parliament and West Bay Central MP Kathy Wilks also received her first vaccine along with her husband, local musician and CMEA President Michael Wilks.
Minister Bernie Bush and Speaker McKeeva Bush were also in attendance but had previously been vaccinated. Premier Panton also traveled with this vaccination card to show that he has been vaccinated since March.
CMR can confirm that some 734 persons received their first dose and 404 returned for their second and final dose. In total 1,138 persons who took advantage of the Health Services Authority's open vaccine, clinic participated in the day's events.
Participants enjoyed a day of music, refreshments and the opportunity to win some prizes by placing their entry slip in the prize box. Prizes will be given away as an incentive to those now taking advantage of the ongoing drive. The overall mood was extremely festive with many sharing with CMR that they enjoyed coming out and doing their part.
Both Minister of Tourism and Transport The Honorable Kenneth Bryan along with Minister of Finance the Honorable Christopher Saunders shared they were delighted to be receiving their first shot yesterday morning. Bryan actually live-streamed the event and jokingly asked Saunders if he was afraid of needles as he arrived at the airport.
Saunders noted that he waited to receive his partly because of the condensed campaign period.
Premier, The Honorable Wayne Panton stressed the importance of not allowing a vaccine to go to waste when so many around the world were literally dying at a chance to get access to this lifeline:
The Public Health Department has confirmed that all persons over the age of 16 are eligible for the vaccine. The latest vaccine schedule has been expanded to include more evening hours and additional locations in the districts as well as Camana Bay.
Anyone going to the hospital to participate in the vaccine client should be mindful of the following information:
- Bring a form of ID which shows your date of birth (you no longer need to prove that you are legally and/or ordinarily resident in the Cayman Islands).
- Do not laminate your vaccination card (even after your second dose). If you have already done so, please take your vaccination card to the ORIA Vaccination Clinic along with your photo ID.
- Park in the long-term parking lot.
- Do not bring children, when possible.
- No pets allowed at the vaccination clinic.
- Bring a completed consent form for Dose 1.
- Facemasks required.
- You need to bring your vaccination card to receive your second dose.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
