A further 12,000 doses of vaccines are scheduled to be delivered to BVI on 17 March, as part of the UK’s continuing commitment to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the Overseas Territories.

This follows the 8,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines delivered to BVI from the UK on 4 February. Since then over 4000 people have been vaccinated.

The UK remains committed to providing further doses of the vaccine to enable all the adult population in BVI to be protected from the virus.

The second vaccine delivery from the UK will allow people in BVI to have their second dose of the vaccine well within the prescribed 12 week limit.

An effective vaccine is the best way to defeat COVID-19. New research conducted in the UK has proven the exceptional protection given by the AstraZeneca vaccine against the virus. Public Health England found a single dose of the vaccine is more than 80% effective at preventing hospitalisation in people over 80 years old.

What does this mean? The news is positive. Not only is the vaccine safe for people over 65 but the evidence shows the vaccine is working to reduce infections and save lives.

Everyone who would like to take up the lifesaving opportunity should follow the guidance from the Ministry of Health, and register as soon as it is possible to do so.

His Excellency Governor John Rankin said: “The UK remains committed to supporting BVI’s vaccination programme and its work in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. The next batch of vaccines arriving shortly will be further clear evidence of this commitment and of the UK and BVI’s continuing partnership. I had my first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine a few weeks ago, and feel very well. The new research reinforces what we already knew- vaccines reduce infection and save lives, protecting even the most vulnerable. I thank all those Health officials in BVI who have been working so hard to roll out the vaccine to the public. I encourage all those people who wish to, to get vaccinated and make the most of this life saving opportunity.”

BVI is one of the first places in the region to receive the vaccine, and this is an opportunity to make the Virgin Islands one of the safest places to live and visit.