The Tribune

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT

tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net

EVEN though teachers are now eligible to receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson said to her knowledge, public educators have expressed limited interest to the union about getting the shot.

Last week, the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee made teachers and staff of local schools eligible to receive the vaccine which has been in The Bahamas since early March.

The Tribune reached out to the BUT president yesterday to find out how many members of her union had signed up to be inoculated and how many had received it so far.

“To my knowledge one teacher inquired about taking the vaccine,” Mrs Wilson said.

She was asked if any of her members said they took the vaccine so far.

She responded: “Not to me.”

The Tribune asked if she has advised her members to take the vaccine and if she planned to take it.

She responded, “It’s a personal choice. A personal decision to be made by them and their families.”

Mrs Wilson, in the past, has said citizens of The Bahamas need to be educated on every aspect of the vaccine before distribution and administering begins.

She had also said as president of the BUT and personally, she was pleased and relieved that several vaccines are now available worldwide. She has also previously made it clear that as for teachers taking it, it is their personal choice.

Appointments can be made at the following vaccination centres: Loyola Hall, Gladstone Road (healthcare workers, 60-plus and uniformed branches); Church of God of Prophecy, East Street (healthcare workers, 60-plus and uniformed branches); Kendal G L Isaacs National Gymnasium (teachers and staff of schools, students and athletes studying or competing abroad); Atlantis, Paradise Island (hospitality workers); Baha Mar, Cable Beach (hospitality workers) and the Susan J Wallace Community Centre in Grand Bahama.

To make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://vax.gov.bs and note the vaccination centre assigned to specific priority groups.