Now that Anguilla has reopened its borders, and is inviting tourists to apply to visit the island, it is good news that the UK Government has made arrangements for Anguilla, as well as its sister Overseas Territories (OTs), to obtain supplies of Covid-19 vaccines.
This agreement for the OTs, with the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce, has been brought to the attention of Anguilla’s Premier and Minister of Finance and Health, Dr. Ellis Webster, by Baroness Sugg, CBE, the UK’s Minister for the Overseas Territories.
Writing to Premier Webster on October 27, the Baroness stated: “As you know, the United Kingdom has taken a leading role and made significant investments to develop, produce and distribute vaccines to tackle COVID-19. I am pleased to inform you that the United Kingdom Government has secured agreement with the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce to supply the OTs from the COVD-19 vaccines that it procures. I am very pleased this agreement has been reached, and this demonstrates our continued commitment to support the people of the OTs in difficult times.
“Final decisions are soon to be made about which vaccines we will deploy, the quantity and when it will be available. Additionally, some of those vaccines under consideration have specific storage supply requirements, such as the need for storage at very cool temperatures.”
The letter from Baroness Sugg continued: “My officials are working hard to clarify all of these points, and they will provide you with further information as soon as it is available. In the meantime, I hope that you will welcome this early notification of our commitment to provide a supply of vaccines to the OTs.
“I understand that several OT Governments have been making arrangements with regional bodies, such as PAHO, and signing up to the COVAX facility. I would ask that you continue with these contingency arrangements as it may prove a quicker way to secure a suitable vaccine in some cases.
“I would also encourage your officials to continue working with Public Health England, and its successor, to develop your vaccination strategies to ensure that you are ready to roll out and monitor a robust vaccine programme as soon as the vaccine is available in your territory.
“So far, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has provided 15 million pounds of additional support to the OTS during the pandemic in the form of PPE, testing and laboratory supplies, medical equipment and staff. We have also deployed expert teams from the Ministry of Defence and Public Health England. With the exception of Pitcairn, the latest shipments of PPE, and other supplies from the UK, are arriving in the OTs now. The provision of vaccines to your territory represents an extension of this continuing support.
“I look forward to discussing this and other matters at our Joint Ministerial Council next month [beginning November 23]”.
At the outset of her letter to Premier Webster, Baroness Sugg told the Anguillian Government leader: “COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for all our Governments. I have been impressed by the decisive action from the governments of the Overseas Territories to move quickly to respond to the pandemic. We have worked closely together throughout the crisis, and I am grateful to the public servants in the OTs whose valiant efforts helped to contain the virus in very difficult circumstances.”
In his reply to Baroness Sugg, Premier Dr. Webster wrote: “I too am pleased that this agreement has been reached, and I continue to be reassured that you are committed to supporting the people of Anguilla during these difficult times.
“We are grateful for the support, including financial, technical, personnel, equipment and supplies, which has been provided to bolster our response to the pandemic and ensure more robust healthcare facilities and expert staff.
“I am keenly aware that the United Kingdom is facing its own challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, and we pray for the safety of the people of the UK as the UK Government makes decisions to limit the negative impact of the virus on the lives of the people, and the health and economy of the United Kingdom.”
Meanwhile, Premier Webster said in a press statement on Tuesday, November 3, that “COVID-19 has a devastating effect on the whole world, and it is good that the UK Government is still committed to making sure that the Overseas Territories benefit in that regard.”
He went on: “I also thank the UK Government for all the help they have given, throughout this pandemic, in terms of financial support and helping to upgrade the health facilities, providing supplies such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), updating our lab and providing testing equipment. They have also helped us by providing the Cuban Medical Brigade, comprising three doctors and two nurses, to help us in case we have any cases of COVID-19 that require hospitalisation; and also the Senior Lab Technician to help us with setting up the open platform for COVID-19 testing – and to make sure that we have enough testing supplies for reopening the tourism industry.”
Premier Webster was not aware of the number of vaccines to be made available to Anguilla by the UK Government, but he noted that through PAHO and the COVAX facility more vaccines would be provided for the island. He disclosed that the Anguilla Government had received assistance from the European Union which made the initial 15 percent down payment for the vaccines through the Caribbean Public Health Agency.
“We are looking at all other entities where we can get help when the vaccines become available,” the Premier further stated. “We hope that they will be enough to provide coverage for Anguilla which has close to fifteen thousand people – as everybody can be affected.”
He stressed that the down payment would have been a significant amount for Anguilla to pay, given the difficulties of the Government’s budget, and he was grateful for the European Union’s financial grant.
