All of Stage 2 opens for COVID-19 Vaccine

The Public Health Department has now extended the COVID-19 vaccine to all Groups in Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the National Vaccination Programme. The schedule from Thursday 25th February to Saturday 6th March has been revised to reflect these changes.

Persons in Stage 2 Group C can now receive the vaccine at their allotted times (please see schedule for Surname assignments). This is individuals living at home with person(s) from Stage 1 of the vaccination programme.

Stage 2, Group C – persons living with:

• Residents and staff of institutional facilities

• Healthcare workers and first responders

• All frontline staff dealing with incoming travellers

• Adults 60+ or with a relevant health status

• Workers essential to Government continuity

“Caymanians 60 years and older and any families living in multi-generational households are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine,” said Dr Hazel Brown, Health Services Authority Chief Nursing Officer. “We still have vulnerable, elderly Caymanians in our community not yet vaccinated and we ask these persons come forward. Any home bound person unable to get to a clinic can contact our Flu Hotline to make arrangements for our Public Health nurses to administer the vaccine in your home.”

All persons 60 years and older are encouraged to get the vaccine and are able to do so at any of the times when the vaccinations clinics are open.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to administer Dose 2 vaccinations for persons due from Stage 1, Group A, B and C. Persons who have received their first dose are reminded to get their second dose 21 days later or no longer than 12 weeks after the first dose during clinic times.

Identification Criteria:

Everyone must now present photo identification to receive the vaccine and demonstrate they are ordinarily and legally resident e.g. with initial permission to remain in the Islands for at least six months. This includes Caymanians, Permanent Residents, people holding Work Permits, as well as Global Citizens and their families.

Accepted ID’s include:

• Cayman Islands Driver’s License

• Cayman Islands Passport

• Cayman Islands Voters Card

• A Global Citizens Certificate (GCCP)

• Non-Caymanian passport showing approval to be on island for six months from arrival

• Work Permit extension letter

• Work Permit grant letter

• Job letter (from a local organisation)

If a visitor has already received their first dose, they may still receive their second dose.

Update to Vaccination Campaign Stage 2:

Stage 2 is in three groups: Stage 2, Group B will commence on Monday, February 15th. Please see schedule as this Group has been divided by Surname.

Group A

Anyone aged 16-60 with relevant medical conditions predisposing to COVID-19

Group B

Essential workers, teachers, school staff*

Group C

Those living at home with persons from stage one of the programme.

* Essential workers will include the following groups: teachers/school employees, supermarket workers, those working for the utilities, people working at gas stations, customer facing people working in retail banking, those working in hotels, restaurants and bars, those working for food delivery companies, caregivers and Civil Servants. All persons must present a work ID to show proof of employer.

Stage 2, Group A - Proof of Medical Condition:

Anyone in Stage 2, Group A with a medical condition is required to provide a note from their doctor. Persons requiring a note from their HSA doctor are asked to request this by contacting the Flu Hotline flu@hsa.ky, 1-800-534-8600 or 925-6327.

Electronic and hard copies will be accepted at the vaccination clinics.

These medical conditions include:

• Diabetes

• Hypertension

• Cancer

• Heart disease

• Lung disease

• Kidney disease

• Autoimmune diseases or compromised/weakened immune system

• Asthma

• Down’s syndrome (adults)

• Severe mental illness

• People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection

• People with solid organ transplants

Caregivers

Public Health continues to vaccinate our most vulnerable population, specifically those 70 and over.

Caregivers of persons 70+ are eligible for the COVID vaccine in the continued effort to keep the most vulnerable safe. The vaccine is available for persons providing care for home bound elderly persons

Caregivers and persons responsible for the elderly in their homes can contact the HSA’s Flu Hotline 1-800-534-8600 or 925-6327 to provide the following details: Caregivers full name, phone number, patient name, and date of birth. Once a caregiver has been identified, those persons will be approved for the vaccination and name checked at the vaccination clinic. Please check the schedule for your designated vaccination time.

Overseas University Students

University students who will be attending institutions overseas may also get vaccinated on their assigned day and must present university ID.

* * *

As a reminder, persons over the age of 60+ can be vaccinated at any time during the published schedule.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to administer Dose 2 vaccinations for persons due from Stage 1, Group A, B and C. Persons who have received their first dose are reminded to get their second dose 21 days later or no longer than 12 weeks after the first dose.

If someone is home bound and unable to attend one of the vaccination clinics, they should contact the Flu Hotline 1-800-534-8600 or 925-6327 or their local HSA District Health Centre and arrangements will be made to with a Public Health nurse to provide the vaccine in their home.

Public Health will announce when Stage 2 Group C may come forward for vaccinations.

For the most up to date vaccination schedule visit https://hsa.ky/public-health/coronavirus/

HSA Flu Hotline - 1-800-534-8600 or 925-6327 or flu@hsa.ky

District Health Centre Contact Numbers

• George Town – 244-2800

• East End – 947-7440

• North Side – 947-9525

• West Bay – 949-3439

• Bodden Town – 947-2299

• Faith Hospital – 925-1190