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VI will seek out other COVID-19 vaccines if possible - Hon Malone

- as part of efforts to address local vaccine hesitancy
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has revealed that with vaccine hesitancy still an issue in the territory, the Virgin Islands (VI) will seek out other brands of COVID-19 vaccines, if possible, through the COVAX arrangement. Photo: Internet Source
Hon Carvin Malone made the statements during the June 1, 2021, edition of ‘VIP Lets Talk’ on ZBVI 780am, in response to a caller who proposed that some persons might be more willing to take another brand of vaccine, other than the one being administered in the VI. Photo: Facebook/File
Hon Carvin Malone made the statements during the June 1, 2021, edition of ‘VIP Lets Talk’ on ZBVI 780am, in response to a caller who proposed that some persons might be more willing to take another brand of vaccine, other than the one being administered in the VI. Photo: Facebook/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has revealed that with vaccine hesitancy still an issue in the territory, the Virgin Islands (VI) will seek out other brands of COVID-19 vaccines, if possible.

Hon Malone made the statements during the June 1, 2021, edition of ‘VIP Lets Talk’ on ZBVI 780am, in response to a caller who proposed that some persons might be more willing to take another brand of vaccine, other than the one being administered in the VI.

Other vaccines could be procured if possible - Hon Malone

Currently, the territory is administering the two-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines via a COVAX arrangement as the only option in the government’s public vaccination programme, however, according to Hon Malone, health authorities are willing to explore more options.

“If it is possible for us to get whether it is the Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer… we are going to seek every way possible... but the fact is that we have no control right now,” he said.

The Minister said that for some counties, even if they have the money, they cannot get the type and amount of vaccines they require for their population due to shortages around the world.

Persons might still resist vaccines - Minister warns 

Meanwhile, Hon Malone further warned, that even if the territory secures another time of vaccines, there is no guarantee that persons will take it.

“One of the concerns we have… is that folks will say well if you get this one, we will take it, and then when the one comes, they still refuse to have it,” he said.

The Health Minister reminded that expert advice is that the best vaccines in the one you can get as in the case of VI's AstraZeneca jabs, given that vaccine shortage is still an issue around the world.

29 Responses to “VI will seek out other COVID-19 vaccines if possible - Hon Malone ”

  • Band grrl (05/06/2021, 15:42) Like (16) Dislike (32) Reply
    There is no such thing as “another brand of the vaccine”. There are only other vaccines. I’ve had the AZ jab and in so happy to know I’m a lot less likely to get really sick or die from Covid.
    • pat (05/06/2021, 16:18) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
      You are wrong, each vaccine have a brand... eg recently in the news canada says it is ok to mix brands.
      • Bad PR. (05/06/2021, 16:38) Like (41) Dislike (7) Reply
        Very bad PR. You and your office are out of touch mr minister. U all dont understand the real issue, go to the streets and stop watching tv, or listening to a few of you all friends, Hit the streets..learn the issues.
      • Band grrl (06/06/2021, 16:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        If "each vaccine has a brand" you are agreeing that they are not the same vaccine. They are different vaccines developed by different companies using different patented technologies which have been branded. All they share is the same disease requiring a vaccine but that's as far as it goes. So clearly it is true that there is no such thing as “another brand of the vaccine”. There are, however, other brands of other vaccines.
    • Peaches (06/06/2021, 21:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Band grrl I feel for you and the thousands of other people who fell prey to this vaccine with promises of not getting sick and dying. BTW are you watching what is going on with that old liar, Dr, Fraud(Faucci)? His lies alone should have you vaxxers shaking in your booths!
  • YAWN (05/06/2021, 15:44) Like (26) Dislike (8) Reply
    Anyone remember the word herbs. Real people stand up.
    • Lucifer (06/06/2021, 08:22) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      Oh yeah remember when herbs eradicated smallpox and massively reduced polio and measles
      • ... (06/06/2021, 20:12) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        Medicinal qualities of plants and medicine derived from plants are real. They will quicker sell you a patented cure then teach you how to access it yourself.
  • WHAT!!! (05/06/2021, 16:33) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    What about the people who have had their first AZ shot and want to wait the recomended time before the second one ?
  • Jay (05/06/2021, 16:50) Like (12) Dislike (16) Reply
    Mr. Malone I'm willing to take the vaccine just not the AstraZeneca one. If you get the Pfizer or the Morderna one here then I'll be definitely taking the jab.
    • AMERICA (05/06/2021, 20:41) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
      Yes Jay, Pfizer or Morderna is the best. I took the Pfizer. My arm was a little sore the day of the vaccine but the next day the soreness was gone.
      • Popo (06/06/2021, 16:54) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
        I had two astra zeneca shots and no side effects at all. I think I'm a lucky man to know I am so much safer now. Pretty soon lots of countries and companies won't allow unvaccinated ppl. It is obvious.
    • Yes (07/06/2021, 06:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes yes yes u so right want to travel to U.S.A. al now to take the pfizer but these dawn quarantine nonsense the 4 days was ok not this 7 day
  • THEY ARE ALL SIMILAR IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.8N ON WAY OR TGE OTHER. (05/06/2021, 17:02) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    THEY, THE VACCINES ARE ALL SIMILAR 8N ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. HOWEVER, WHAT IS MORE NEEDED IS MORE MEDICAL INFORMATION FOR GULLIBLE MINDED PEOPLE, THAT HAVE CLOSED THEIR MINDS TO REASONABLE GOOD ADVICE, AND HAVE INSTEAD SWUNG THE DOORS OF THEIR MINDS WIDE OPEN TO MEDIA GARBAGE VIA FACEBOOK, FALSE TO THE DETRIMENTAL PAINS OF US ALL. IGNORANCY AND RANDON BELIEVES WITHOUT FACTIAL EVIDENCES ARE A MIXTURE OF DISUNITY, CONFUSSION, AND DEATH. DON'T LOSE FAITH MINISTER CARVIN MALONE. KEEP ON TRYING. IF IT ISN'T BROKE, OR BECOME UNHINGE, DON'T TO FIX IT.
  • Common Sense (05/06/2021, 17:19) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wrong, the AZ vaccine vaccine was supplied by the UK government, not COVAX. This government did indeed source 2,000 doses through COVAX which was a disgrace being as COVAX supplies are for countries that struggle financially to obtain medicines. That action by this government sums them up perfectly.
  • Pre-payment (05/06/2021, 17:42) Like (13) Dislike (15) Reply
    For those who want the other 3 vaccines the BVI Health Department should require a nonrefundable pre-payment from each BVI person who wants Moderna, J&J or Pfizer. The amount of the pre-payment could be determined by the vaccine's availability, cost, duty, shipping, etc. but at least $50 and no more than $500 per shot.
    • @ Pre payment. Thats the message (06/06/2021, 03:53) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      Mr. Minister, Pls dont waste tax payers money buying vaccine to give away and expire....Let those vaccine haters who trying to hold the country back know that after these we have expire anyone need vaccine will have to pay out of pocket, its not covered by NGI. ,. Simple as ABC.
  • ghdfhsdrfedsfds (05/06/2021, 17:51) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
  • hut (05/06/2021, 20:18) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    Anyone still on the fence won't take any vaccine regardless. No jab no job..is a reality
    • god is watching (06/06/2021, 21:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @hut God is my Father, my employer, my EVERYTHING! I will NEVER TAKE THAT POISION!
    • @hut (07/06/2021, 15:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The fact that your "rational" mind thinks that it is ok to take an experimental vaccine or not have a job is soooooo scarry...do you not see how you have been influenced?!

      My God, people WAKE UP!!!!!!!
  • Rubber Duck (06/06/2021, 02:31) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the more experimental ones that work on altering RNA. Some of the Neanderthals object to that technology because it is new. AZ and Johnson and Johnson work in a more traditional way by giving you a tiny dose of a virus similar to the one they are designed to protect against. All vaccines have been proven to work to prevent you catching and spreading the disease. Hundreds of millions of all the shots have been given and there are only are tiny numbers of often unproven reports of adverse reactions. In the BVI not a single one of the 12000 vaccinated have reported a serious adverse reaction.

    The disease is not dead. As we open the doors it will undoubtedly work its way into the BVI population.

    The unvaccinated are those who will be at risk.
    • Trooper (06/06/2021, 17:02) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      @rubber Duck I agree. I'm amazed at the ignorance and superstition in bvi. It's like being in an episode of Game of Thrones. Surely people in the 21st century understand that vaccines are a good thing. The Astra zeneca is the most standard type there is. There's nothing different about it than vaccines like the ones people have had for years for smallpox, measels, malaria etc. The Phizer and Moderna ones are more experimental but why should that be a problem?
  • gfdfdggfdgfdgfdg (06/06/2021, 02:40) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lol there all have the same agenda.....dont be fool backward now there ain't get u fool forward so u know the coming the opposite..yes all about deceiving the people for the same purposes bro
  • Oh Boy.. (06/06/2021, 03:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    U all like to waste tax payers money. Stop wasting tax payers money....New batch, new policy, payment requirement...
  • ausar (06/06/2021, 10:37) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Folks, now that the ferries are running to the US Virgin Islands, why don't the many of you make an appointment and get to the Schneider Regional for your jab?

    You can rerurn in the afternoon back to the BVI, with the first jab in tow, knowing that you'll be safer with the American brands of vaccinations!

    Good Luck!
    • Stay here (06/06/2021, 17:06) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Why anyone would go to the USVI with their high covid rates is beyond me. Stay here, get the jabs and move on!
      Don't be holding the country back. We are so lucky to have these jabs, so many countries have NONE!
  • Kingdom (06/06/2021, 17:05) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Did we say that the brand of the vaccine was the issue? Have the people called for a vaccine from another company? You bring something into the territory that we didn't ask for and then try to force and bribe us into taking it. And the things that the people have been begging for, for years now, they still can't get. Proper infrastructure and resources in the schools, assistance to repair homes damaged by hurricanes irma and Maria, comprehensive health insurance with an extensive, easily accessible network(not that Columbian nonsense we presently have) and increments due to civil servants. Why aren't we hearing anything about these issues?


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