National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for the Cayman Islands

January 7th Update: The Pfizer-BioNtech Vaccine Arrives On-Island

A total of 9,750 doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine arrived on-Island Tuesday, 6th January. Beginning Thursday, 8th January, the vaccine will be made available to those in Stage 1 of the priority-grouping system (see below for details) at the HSA Flu Clinic.

The walk-up service will operate out of the HSA Flu Clinic Monday-Friday from 10.30am-3pm, and out of the District Health Clinics starting Monday, 11th January. Please be advised between January 19th-22nd, the following schedule applies:

Persons receiving the vaccine must enter the clinic wearing a mask and present a form of government ID. They will also be expected to fill out a COVID-19 Vaccination form, which can be filled out on site or downloaded here.

The Priority-Grouping System

Inoculations are being administered to the Cayman community based on a priority-grouping system, as detailed below:

Stage 1:

Group A

• Health care workers and first responders
• Institutional staff and residents
• Front-line customer-facing staff at ports
• People over the age of 70 or those suffering from conditions that put them at an increased risk if they were to contract COVID-19

Group B

• People over the age of 60 or those suffering from conditions that put them at an increased risk if they were to contract COVID-19

Group C

• Essential Government workers

Stage 2:

• Anyone aged 16-60 with relevant medical status
  
• Essential service workers, teachers, and school staff
• Those living in the household of people who qualified for the first group

The Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine requires two doses, administered three weeks apart, to be most effective. Once willing participants from stages one and two have received their full immunisation course, the remainder of Cayman’s population can come forward to begin vaccinations. There will be regular public announcements to update the community on the progress of the programme - as well as when the subsequent groups can come forward for vaccination.

Participation is voluntary, however the premier has stressed that Cayman should stay open-minded to the long-term benefits, particularly where Cayman's herd-immunity is concerned. For more information, please call the HSA Flu Hotline at (345) 947 3077.

For answers to FAQs, please click here.

Updated Travel Protocols

The Premier also announced that following the immunisation of groups one and two, there will be a further opening of the Islands’ borders and changes in restrictions for incoming travellers.

While vaccination is not mandatory for entry into Cayman, incoming travellers will have the option to be exempted from quarantine, providing they meet the following conditions:

• Can provide proof of having received the COVID-19 vaccination AND a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival
• Produce a negative PCR test result upon arrival
• Return to a household where the other residents have also received the COVID-19 vaccine

All people exempted under these conditions will be expected, along with their household members, to undergo repeat testing on day 5, 10 and 15, following their arrival date.

Travellers entering the Island who do not meet the requirements for exemption, will still be subject to mandatory quarantine.

Those working in the hospitality and tourism industry (restaurateurs, taxi drivers etc.) will now have to undergo regular PCR testing and regular testing will continue for front-line health workers.

The situation on Island will be closely monitored and should there be any cause for concern, Public Health will respond by promptly employing preventive measures.