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Concerning! Low vaccination rate in high risk group in VI– National Epidemiologist

- Harmonie Massiah said only 36.5% in high risk group received at least one dose of vaccine
The low vaccination rate seen in residents 60 and up, who are most at risk of hospitalisation or even death due to the COVID-19, is a concern for health officials in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Internet Source/File
National Epidemiologist Harmonie Massiah said only 36.5 per cent of persons in the high-risk population of those 60 years and over has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Photo: Facebook
National Epidemiologist Harmonie Massiah said only 36.5 per cent of persons in the high-risk population of those 60 years and over has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The low vaccination rate seen in residents 60 years and up, who are most at risk of hospitalisation or even death due to COVID-19, is a concern for health officials in the [British] Virgin Islands (VI).

This is according to National Epidemiologist Harmonie Massiah who was part of a panel of health officials being interviewed by Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday, May 27, 2021.

“Now regarding the high-risk population of those 60 and above, only 36.5 per cent has received at least one dose of the vaccine. Now that’s concerning to us because we know that age, especially coupled with pre-existing health conditions, increases your risk of severe disease, hospitalization and premature death. For example, persons in their 60’s or 70’s have a greater risk of death hospitalisation and severe symptoms than those in their 50’s and 40’s,” she stated.

Massiah said as of May 23, 2021, some 16,759 doses of the vaccine were administered in the territory, and approximately 11,648 were first dose vaccinations.

“Which means 38.3 per cent of the population and 5,111 second dose vaccinations, meaning that 17 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated,” she said.

She also pointed out that “these numbers are likely to be an underestimation simply because we had a number of persons from the territory who went abroad and got Pfizer and Moderna and Johnson and Johnson. Also, the baseline population we used to calculate these figures might be an overestimation, we really don’t know how many people we have in the population since Irma.”

Only mild side effects of vaccine in territory

The National Epidemiologist also reported that the side effects of the vaccine in the territory have been mild.

“The most prevalent being achy feelings, headache, chills, fatigue, pain and itching at the injection site. We have not to date have any reported cases of severe disease, and we are asking the community, if you have had any rare side effects like diarrhoea, vomiting, blood clots, please report to Public Health so that we can then come back again and inform the public so that they can be further educated,” she urged.

Massiah also said the dominant percentage of persons being vaccinated are males in the 35 to 50 age group.

24 Responses to “Concerning! Low vaccination rate in high risk group in VI– National Epidemiologist”

  • Ben (28/05/2021, 09:14) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    what is the population of the BVI?
    • Not sure. (28/05/2021, 10:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I see varying numbers but I'd say between 25-35 thousand.
    • NWO (28/05/2021, 13:49) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
      Don't take the vaccine and you'll be victimized(it has already started)
      TAKE the vaccine and you STILL have a chance of dying(MANY DID)
      **Some of you need to really look into this virus, and the truth of where it originated from**
      • @NWO (28/05/2021, 15:24) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        Tell them...again.....
        God said for the people in charge to Tell the Truth.....
  • Bling cat (28/05/2021, 10:01) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Upsurge in persons being vaccinated in VI as of late'- Premier Fahie
  • Reality check (28/05/2021, 10:02) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
    When I received my first dose at the Catholic church in town almost all of the other people there were over fifty years of age and BVI Islanders. They were also more highly educated and all business people, well used to looking at facts and not fake news!!
  • Tough choice (28/05/2021, 10:18) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Seniors over 60 have a tough decision about this AZ vaccine especially if it is their first experience with a vaccine injection. The best therapy is just talking with other seniors in similar health about their vaccine experiences in the last 6 decades of life.

    Working in the transportation industry required numerous vaccine injections during my teens, 20's and 30' to avoid the various epidemics in South America, Africa, the mid-east and the orient. Despite all the double vaccine injections for cholera, yellow fever, smallpox, typhoid, tetanus and polio I survived into my 70's. The double jab of the AZ vaccine was no problem.
  • weeks (28/05/2021, 10:33) Like (11) Dislike (14) Reply
    People getting heart
    Attack
    • @weeks (28/05/2021, 19:18) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      Are you a pathologist? Where is your proof that those who had heart attacks got it as a result of the vaccine? Stop spreading fake news.
    • @weeks (01/06/2021, 10:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, it is true. Every day, of week, every year. People get heart attacks. Always have. Probably always will. NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COVID 19 Vaccine!
  • VIP Government (28/05/2021, 10:44) Like (14) Dislike (10) Reply
    Where is the pro-active Government campaign to get government personnel vaccinated? We are 5,000 vaccinations short of the 17,000 target which is exactly the amount of Government employed staff...
  • Don’t be a magnet (28/05/2021, 10:54) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    That’s the best thing the elders doing
  • Doctor No (28/05/2021, 11:00) Like (4) Dislike (14) Reply
    Let them die. Improve the gene pool.
    • @Doctor no (28/05/2021, 18:49) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      How does your sick inhuman existence improve the world’s gene pool? It seems like something that all humans should have is missing in your gene pool for sure... just like Hitler and others like you.
    • @Dr. No (29/05/2021, 07:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Please conside re-reading the article. It expresses concern about the over 60 crowd who most likely have already contributed to the gene pool. Not many over 60s have children for the first time.
  • Georgie (28/05/2021, 11:35) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    She is beautiful
  • Sprout (28/05/2021, 11:38) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    Is there any link between education v anti-Vaxers?
    • hmm (28/05/2021, 12:26) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      Certainly an inverse link between IQ and anti vaxers.
      • Billy K*** (28/05/2021, 14:18) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
        You could laugh hmmm such a believer in government and science by white people. Like people say enjoy your future bloodcloths and specialist visits.
  • SB (28/05/2021, 11:40) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    I mean life on this got damn Earth isn't everything people. Some older folks are satisfied with the life they lived and are not concerned with longevity. Those are the true free folks.
  • hmm (28/05/2021, 12:40) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    and some don't was t to end their days..gasping for air cause no oxygen at hospital when the is h hit the fan
  • Worried (29/05/2021, 11:17) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The National Epidemiologist also reported that the side effects of the vaccine in the territory have been mild.
    Not true, many are sick and many are having blood clots. They will not know because they put you on hold for a long time, for them to know how you are feeling Ask the private clinics they will give you the info.


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