The Joe Biden administration has yet to donate any vaccines to its third border and the tourism dependent Caribbean region, but through the COVAX facility, it now has received over 350,000 vaccines to date, with more in transit, a News Americas analysis of latest data shows. The COVAX Facility is a partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the … [Read more...]
Caribbean economies could become COVID-19 ‘long-haulers’ says IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that many Caribbean countries risk becoming what it describes as COVID-19 “economic long-haulers." “Much the same as some patients could suffer from lingering illnesses long after the coronavirus infection has passed, the pandemic’s economic fallout might be felt in the region long after the health emergency is controlled,” said the … [Read more...]
PAHO welcomes expansion of COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Caribbean
WASHINGTON, CMC – Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr Carissa Etienne, on Wednesday welcomed the expansion of the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the Americas, including the Caribbean. Etienne also said that PAHO is working closely with member countries to “accelerate access” throughout the region. During her weekly media briefing, she disclosed that the Bahamas has … [Read more...]
CIBC donates US$750,000 to help 10 [Caribbean]countries purchase COVID vaccines
Ten countries across the region will get a major boost to their COVID-19 vaccination programmes as a result of a US$500,000 donation from regional bank CIBC FirstCaribbean. The donation to national vaccination programmes is being made by the bank through its charitable arm the FirstCaribbean International ComTrust Foundation and will support the purchase of vaccines in Antigua, Bahamas, … [Read more...]
IDB mobilises US$1billion for COVID-19 vaccine financing in the Caribbean
[Reprinted: Jamaica Observer, 12-17-2020] The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced on Wednesday that it will mobilise US$1billion to help Latin American and Caribbean countries acquire and distribute COVID-19 vaccines. The Washington-based financial institution said the funds will complement US$1.2 billion in resources that the IDB has committed in 2020, as well as other … [Read more...]