Governor urges booster take up to beat Omicron

Now that health officials have confirmed that the more easily transmissable Omicron variant of Covid-19 has been detected in Cayman, Governor Martyn Roper is urging everyone who is eligible to get a booster shot as soon as possible. Scientific evidence suggests that the booster shot is providing a good level of protection against people suffering severely with the virus.

People who are over 18 who had their second vaccine shot more than three months ago are all eligible for a booster and can get their booster at clinics around the island. See the following for the vaccine and booster clinic schedule: www.hsa.ky/public-health/coronavirus

Governor Roper said that as 80% of the population had now received two vaccine doses, it put Cayman residents in a very strong position in protecting themselves against serious illness or worse from Covid-19. But that was not enough.

“Unfortunately, two doses of the vaccine alone does not give enough protection against catching Omicron. Studies are showing that by far the best defence we have against Omicron is for those eligible to get the booster shot. Boosters increase immunity significantly and give you the best protection against serious illness, hospitalisation and catching the virus,” the Governor said.

Governor Roper said if people had not had their booster shot, now was the time to come forward.

“My thanks to those who have already had their booster, please encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do the same. Boosters are literally life-saving and it is urgent that our booster take-up increases significantly,” he confirmed. “I know many are concerned about getting sick following the injection. Some have reported mild symptoms such a sore arm or flu-like symptoms for one or two days after the vaccine has been administered. But please don’t make that the reason you don’t come forward for your booster.”

The Governor said people needed to get protected now, before Christmas and before Omicron cases started to rise.

“Omicron is expected to become the dominant variant soon in many countries of the world and results of studies are showing that it spreads faster than other variants,” he said.

A further batch of vaccines was arriving from the UK last week, for use as first, second and booster shots. The UK would continue to supply the Cayman Islands with vaccines for as long as Cayman made use of the doses.

“Every adult across all three of our islands has to do their bit to protect themselves, our elderly, our children who are unable to get vaccinated and our community as a whole. I appeal to the community to inject more urgency into the booster roll-out,” he said.