I saw at least one Caribbean country getting their vaccines, which was the Turks and Caicos Islands. But they are a dependent on the United Kingdom. When are the rest of us independent countries going to receive ours?
I am not sure what to say, we saw the CARICOM come out with a statement blasting larger, more developed countries for hoarding vaccines. However, the COVAX facility- the same one created to ensure least developed countries all get an equal shot at getting the vaccine- barely 1/3rd of the countries in the region has made the down payment to receive their allotted doses. At least says the Caribbean Public Health Agency.
So something is not right. We can’t have CARICOM going out and insulting larger countries, but its members have not even made the slightest down payment for the vaccine for their own citizenry. That just seems foolish if not littered with ignorance.
I’m screaming for a vaccine to come to the region in mass quantities like I’m one who will be lining up to get it. I’m not one who fancies these quick vaccines, to be honest. I would much rather wait until I see how the first recipients fair in about 6 months to a year and then gauge myself accordingly.
I guess it is a matter of trust, isn’t it? I’m just hoping the world can get it together and our leaders stop making rash, foolishly ignorant statements when they have their own front doorsteps to sweep before they go around blaming other people.
I can see it now: When the world is getting vaccines, Caribbean leaders will be lying their butt off telling you America and Europe are taking all of the vaccines, when all the while the truth is that they just have not secured the vaccines the way they should.
If you don’t have the money then my God, tell someone. The Inter-American Development Bank has made available over $20m for the Caribbean and Central America to be able to access the vaccine and I feel more will be coming. The Caribbean Development Bank has also made funding available for the same thing. The pledges by those development agencies were coming fast and furious at the end of 2020 so there is no excuse really.
Just get the vaccines and stop making noise without reason.