BELMOPAN, Thurs. Nov. 4, 2021 — Today, the United States Embassy in Belmopan announced the arrival of a 2nd tranche of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines in Belize. This second donation of 117,000 vaccines follows a previous donation of 111,150 vaccines by the US government to Belize in August of this year.
The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine that has received FDA-approval for children 11-17 — making it a key tool in GoB’s efforts to make the classroom setting safe enough for a resumption of face-to-face learning, which has become a top government priority.
In a press statement released jointly by the government of Belize and the US Embassy in Belmopan, Chargé d’Affaires, Leyla Moses-One said, “… These donated vaccines are clinically proven to protect us from stronger and more deadly strains of the COVID-19 virus. Today’s donation brings us closer to helping our children return to school for face-to-face learning, resuming to normal business operations, and going back to other essential elements of our lives that have been disrupted by this pandemic.”
We got in contact with the US Embassy in Belmopan to verify if any of the Pfizer vaccines donated in this batch can be administered to children between the ages of 5 and 11, given the recent emergency authorization from the CDC and the FDA permitting Pfizer doses for that age group. We have not received a response thus far.
In his remarks, Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Michel Chebat, stated, “Today’s donation is another manifestation of the commitment and support of the American people to Belize. This pandemic has proven how small this world has become and the need for us to work together to overcome this deadly virus.”
Since the relaunch of the country’s vaccination campaign, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of the population who have been vaccinated, but that number still lags behind the 70% percent threshold needed for herd immunity. Recent data suggest that a country will require both a high vaccination rate within its population and the administration of booster shots to bolster the immunity of its population. Minister Chebat said that the goal is now to reach the most remote parts of our country.
“While we have made significant strides in our vaccination campaign, this additional shipment of vaccines will help us to continue to reach the furthest regions of our country. We are ever mindful that none of us are safe until we are all safe,” he emphasized.