Health professionals addressing today’s press conference on the management of COVID-19 in Barbados supported the choice of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine although it has not ben approved in some countries.
They were also in support of the mass vaccination campaign with the goal of achieving herd immunity.
Rev Dr Kirtley Yearwood of Holy Cross Health in Washington DC, who has taken a COVID vaccine, said while he couldn’t speak for Government, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is a good choice for Barbados.
He said the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have to be kept at very cold temperatures, cannot be stored for very long and are therefore not suitable for a hot climate. In contrast, the composition of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is different, it is easier to administer and can be stored for at least six months.
“It would be extremely challenging to have Pfizer or Moderna, especially Pfizer in a tropical climate,” he said.
The doctor explained that despite the discussion on efficacy rates and that of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine being around 70 per cent “it doesn’t really matter as long as you have something in your system” that can offer protection against transmission of COVID-19, severe illness and death.
Senior Sister Juleyette Serrano of the Branford Taitt Polyclinic, who has extensive experience with immunisation, reiterated that Pfizer would not be the best choice of vaccine for our climate. She said they have the capacity to safely deal with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which is also being used extensively in the UK.
Dr Omar Edwards, Medical Officer of Health at the Winston Scott Polyclinic, said: “The Oxford-AstraZeneca is an excellent choice.”
It is thermo dynamically stable, is stable up to 30 degrees Celsius, has standard refrigeration requirements, the health sisters can handle it perfectly and it is a good choice for an effective mass vaccination campaign. He said health care professionals would like to cover all of Barbados.
The vaccine can be given in clinic and off site in order achieve herd immunity and to decrease the spread of COVID-19.
The doctor said when the vaccine is deployed, its benefits will be seen. He said it has a 70 per cent success rate against symptomatic disease and a 62 per cent success rate against severe disease, hospitalisation and death. (KG)