Cayman Islands moves vaccination rate target date

With the original target date just two weeks away, the Cayman Islands government has revised the date for when it hopes the islands will reach the 80% vaccination rate, from 9 September to 14 October.

Since 13 August, the rate of fully vaccinated residents in the islands has been stalled at 69%.

The government’s original reopening plan includes a limited return of tourism by 9 September, when the vaccination rate reaches the 80% target which is phase 3 of the plan.

However, Premier Wayne Panton said phase 3 will go ahead as planned, even without reaching the 80% target.

He pointed out that when quarantine restrictions for vaccinated tourists are lifted on 14 October, phase 4 of the plan, the risk of community transmission in Cayman will rise exponentially.

The Premier issued a heartfelt appeal to the people to get vaccinated, saying he is concerned about the potential loss of life since there are still persons reluctant to get the vaccine that is safe to take and the best possible defence is currently available.

“To be ready for reopening, those unvaccinated can take the first shot from today up to 9 September when the 3rd phase opens. And the second shot up to 14 October when quarantine ends for vaccinated persons.”

Cayman has 8,765 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine available, which are due to expire at the end of October. With more than 2,000 people awaiting their second dose, this means that there are enough doses for more than 3,000 others to get both their first and second shots, Panton noted.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sabrina Turner announced that from 6 September, buses would be visiting the various districts, bringing the vaccinations to the residents there, rather than requiring them to travel to the Owen Roberts International Airport vaccination centre.

Vaccines will also be available at MPs’ constituency offices throughout the districts, she said.

“We will be coming to your area, and we’ll be using all social media platforms in our efforts to make this possible,” Turner added.