"This is welcoming news as we continue to provide the COVID-19 vaccine for a safer community,” commented Kim Wilson, JP, MP, Minister of Health, following the announcement that Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine wins full FDA approval. “This is excellent news for those individuals who have delayed getting vaccinated until the FDA fully approved the vaccine.”
“Today, the FDA stated that ‘the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product’, a sentiment that we have shared for quite some time. I hope this move will encourage people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
“This is very good news and hopefully will increase confidence in the vaccine for those people still putting off getting vaccinated,” said the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ayo Oyinloye. “I urge all unvaccinated persons to please get vaccinated as this is primarily our best tool to move beyond the pandemic. The majority of our local coronavirus cases are unvaccinated, and our numbers are rising.”
“Time is of the essence for anyone who is still trying to decide to get the vaccine. Our current supply of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine will expire in October. The last first dose will be administered on October 10th. Bermuda can receive additional vaccine supplies if we can demonstrate that there is demand.”
The King Edward Memorial Hospital vaccine clinic is open for appointments and walk-ins, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 pm-7 pm, and Saturdays from 8 am - 4 pm. Additionally, you can go to the Washington Mall on Saturday, August 28, between 10 am and 2 pm. Medical professionals will be available to answer your questions. You don’t need an appointment. Just show up to talk to someone or to get the vaccine.
Minister Wilson also said, “It is important also to note that countries such as Canada are only now opening up their borders to discretionary travel and require COVID-19 vaccines for foreign travellers. The Biden administration recently announced that it is developing a plan to require nearly all foreign visitors to the United States to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as part of eventually lifting travel restrictions that bar much of the world from entering the United States.”