Bermuda Hospitals Board COVID-19 vaccination update

Friday 15 January 2021: BHB today provided details of vaccinations given over this week to staff and patients, from Monday 11 January to Friday 15 January 2021.

Dr Michael Ashton, Chief of Medicine & Infectious Diseases Specialist, gets vaccinated at the BHB clinic.

Over the five days, 744 COVID-19 vaccinations were given at BHB. Of these, 584 vaccinations were given to hospital workers in the BHB COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, and 160 were given to long term care patients at KEMH and MWI (including group homes). The second doses for the individuals vaccinated this week will take place in 21 days, between 1 and 5 of February 2021. In addition, a second clinic for people to get their first shot will be run in a couple of weeks for people who may feel more comfortable getting vaccinated now they have seen the roll out start. Dates will be confirmed shortly.

Judy Richardson, Chief of Nursing and executive lead for the BHB vaccination roll out comments: “I’m so pleased that we have begun vaccination at BHB. Right now there is no better protection available so getting access to the vaccine is great news for people in healthcare and our community. We hope, as well, that this is just the start. Additional vaccination slots were added onto the Friday clinic to include some people who made a decision to book later in the week, but I feel encouraged as more staff are saying they feel more comfortable getting their first shot now they have seen one group go through. For this reason, we are planning a second clinic, likely in a couple of weeks.

Ms Richardson adds: “The clinic ran very smoothly and a big thank you has to go to all the departments who cleaned andcleared the space, and those who set up, supported and ran the clinic at KEMH, and all those who organised and delivered vaccinations across long term care units at KEMH, MWI and 26 group homes. We did not have any patient safety issues, and people only experienced the expected mild side effects for a few days, which is in line with international experience. We will continue to share information to educate and encourage more staff to get vaccinated. This is our best protection. It is safe, effectiveand will protect people in our hospitals and community.”

BHB has about 1,900 staff including casuals, part time staff and locums; about 1,500 of this number are full time staff. All staff were sent a vaccination intent form, in which they could elect to accept or decline the COVID-19 vaccination. 872 people returned the intent form. Everyone who wanted a vaccination at this time got a booking.

BHB has approximately 250 long term care patients. The long term care patients who were not vaccinated were due to families or the patients themselves declining the vaccination.

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