The Government will be “ramping up the vaccination programme,” with the Bermuda College Vaccination Centre set to open on both Saturdays and Sundays, and also extend their weekday hours until midnight.
Speaking at tonight’s [April 13] press conference, Health Minister Kim Wilson said, “Bermuda’s goal of “herd immunity” will be achieved when 70% of the population (64,054) has been immunised. To date, 40% of the population has been vaccinated (with 1 dose), and 31% of the population has been immunised (with 2 doses).
“To push forward and get close to this goal more quickly, the Ministry will be ramping up the vaccination programme at Bermuda College – as the Bermuda Hospitals Board has done already – with the aim of immunizing 62% of Bermuda’s population by Bermuda Day – 28 May 2021.
“Starting this weekend, the Bermuda College Vaccination Centre will be open from 9am – 3pm on both Saturdays and Sundays when 250 – 300 doses of the vaccine will be administered each day.
“Then from 19 April, Monday to Friday, the Centre will be open from 8am to midnight, allowing an additional 250 people a day to be vaccinated. This is a great step forward for the country’s vaccination programme with 1,550 extra doses being administered weekly.
“The Ministry team is ready to ramp up our vaccination programme but we need help. We are appealing to all the doctors in Bermuda to give us time.
“If every doctor in Bermuda takes one or two shifts on a weekday evening or during the day on Saturday or Sunday, we will succeed; Bermuda will succeed. As the Minister of Health, I am calling on the medical fraternity to make this commitment to our community. If you can help, please contact Dr Brett Lefkowitz at blefkowitz@gov.bm.
“Bermuda Hospitals Board already increased its vaccination output this past weekend, extending its hours on Saturdays and expanding to Sundays as well.
“The BHB will focus on delivering an additional 750 vaccinations each week. It is anticipated with the increased vaccination capacity, we will be very close herd immunity by the end of May, instead of mid-June.
“The simple message right now is, if you haven’t already, get vaccinated. There is no need to wait. There is no need to delay. Go online and put your name down to register. The process takes no more than two minutes. If you don’t have access to the online form, phone 444 2498 and register. We all have a role to play to keep our country safe.
“I am excited about the possibility of Bermuda more quickly achieving herd immunity. Getting vaccinated is something we can do for ourselves, our family and our community. Just imagine: celebrating Bermuda Day with a small group of immunised family and friends.”
