BARBADOS : COVID-19 Vaccine Could Soon Be Here……..
The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines could be here within another four to eight weeks.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said this evening, in her most recent update, that about four vaccines could be on island as soon as this weekend. This “handful” of vaccines, she explained, would be given first to those leading the fight against the viral illness.
“There is a possibility this weekend that there may be four vaccines that are available; we are not sure of it yet. We will know in another few hours, but we have agreed that, and we’ve had consultation at the higher levels of Cabinet, if those are there, the first person that we would want to offer vaccination to in this country is Dr. Corey Forde, our lone Infection Specialist, who has done yeoman’s work, and who is on the frontline with all of the facilities in the country.
“Similarly, Mr. Singh who has been the main person doing the testing, and even going on cruise ships and boats, will be the second. The Minister of Health, I believe, has to be there, in order to be able to continue running this exercise as he has been doing for the last 12 months, and we need him to continue to do it. And there’s a debate going on, I have been fighting it, the rest believe that I must take it as Prime Minister, but we are still in deep discussions on that …. But, if I have to I will, if only because I know that there are some people who are vaccine skeptics, and we need to let persons know that these vaccines are things that we have been accustomed to from children.
“Yes, there is always a risk, but the risk, invariably, is negligible in comparison to the benefits that we’ll gain with respect to it, without prejudice to those four,” she disclosed.
Ms. Mottley further explained that Government had paid nearly BDS $5 million to secure vaccines, under the COVAX facility, for 20 per cent of the population, in the first instance.
Additionally, she said priority would be given to those persons working on the frontlines, including medical personnel, the security forces and vulnerable populations within society.
melissa.rollock@barbados.gov.bb
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MIAMI USA: Miami Beach doctor’s death after COVID-19 vaccine under investigation
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Questions remain in the death of a 56-year-old Miami Beach doctor who died Sunday, just a little over two weeks after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Gregory Michael, M.D., whose website states he was in private practice in obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, received the vaccine at the hospital where he was affiliated on Dec. 18.
It is not clear, however, if the 56-year-old doctor’s death is related to the shot, but an investigation is underway.
A Facebook post by Michael’s wife described him as “very healthy.” His website said he was an avid tournament and big game fisherman and also a rescue certified scuba diver.
His wife said that three days after getting the shot, Michael noticed severe broken blood vessels on his feet and hands, prompting him to go the emergency room.
There, he was diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia, which prevents blood from clotting. After two weeks of treatment, she writes on the Facebook post, Michael had a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the lack of platelets, which took his life in a matter of minutes, she said.
She said her husband was an advocate of the vaccine.
A spokesperson from Mount Sinai, who cited patient privacy restrictions, said in a statement:
“To the extent that we are aware of an incident involving any patient, the appropriate agencies are contacted immediately and have our full cooperation.”
Florida’s Department of Health confirmed that they referred the case to the Centers for Disease Control for investigation. A CDC spokesperson told Local 10 News that “they will evaluate the situation as more information becomes available and provide timely updates on what is known and any necessary actions.”
Vaccine manufacturer Pfizer-BioNTech responded in a statement, which said that they were aware of the death of a healthcare professional 16 days after receiving a first dose. “We are actively investigating this case, but don’t believe at this time there is any direct connection to the vaccine. There have been no related safety signals identified in trials or vaccinations so far.”
The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s office said that, as of now, Michael’s cause of death has not been determined and said the results may take several week.
The CDC, who has been tasked with reviewing vaccine safety, stated that their thoughts are with the family. They added that: “to date more than 5 million people have received COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States.”
Dr. Michael’s family has asked for privacy at this time.
THE ABOVE FFEATURE FFIRST APPEARED HERE ……… Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CASE IS ONE IN FIVE MILLION….. CLICK THIS LINK ……..
ONE RESPONDENT WROTE ” 4 million vaccinated and one death (maybe related-maybe not) versus 21 million infected with 370 thousand dead. The numbers for vaccination speak for themselves. There have been allergic reactions which is common in some vacines, but the protocol is that the patient be watched for a few minutes and if the reaction occurs, to adminster epinephrine to stop it. Nothing in life is guaranteed, but the chances of an untimely death are much higher without the vaccine than with the vaccine.”
ANOTHER WROTE …. ” How can anything be proven when this vaccine was made in 4 months are barely tested? The cause of death is just a guess at this point. Was it natural causes? Was it Covid? Was it the vaccine? What we do know is that the family will be paid handsomely by either the vaccine manufacturer or some other government entity. Probably north of $20 million dollar settlement.”
AND YET ANOTHER …. ” Over 4.2 million vaccines administered so far in the US and how many deaths recorded? Do the math. All drugs, including vaccines, have side effects, some good, some bad. Sadly, a few people will have adverse reactions from mild to severe and even death. While this is tragic for the family, it doesn’t mean people should not take the vaccine. If these vaccines were truly not safe, doctors would not be volunteering to take it. They are smarter than most of you with a Google degree! ”
