Belize's Vaccination Rate: How High?

As of June 2, 2023, a total of 510,770 vaccine doses have been administered in Belize. Belize received its second shipment of 33,600 doses of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility, a global partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Gavi, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The initial doses in Belize are being administered to frontline health care and social workers, as well as high-risk and vulnerable people.

Belize's largest vaccine delivery to date

Belize received its largest vaccine delivery to date on March 31, 2021, when a plane carrying 33,600 doses of the coronavirus vaccine arrived in Belize City. This shipment was the second received by the country through the COVAX Facility, a global partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility was established by the World Health Organization to ensure fair allocation and equitable access to vaccines for all countries, especially those lacking the resources to secure vaccine supplies independently. Belize's Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon Michel Chebat, recognised the efforts of each of the 48,515 people vaccinated in the country as of May 10, 2021.

The initial allocation for Belize through the COVAX Facility was 100,800 doses, of which the country received a total of 67,200 doses with the aforementioned shipment, including the first delivery of AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines manufactured by SK Bioscience of South Korea on March 31. PAHO's Revolving Fund, responsible for procuring COVID-19 vaccines for the Americas under the COVAX Mechanism, facilitated both shipments.

The arrival of this second shipment was reassuring, as Dr. Noreen Jack, PAHO/WHO Representative of Belize, explained: "those who have received their first doses can now receive their second dose without delays." The vaccines were prioritised for frontline health care and social workers, high-risk and vulnerable people, those over 60, and workers in the tourism sector, which is one of Belize's largest industries.

As of April 23, 2021, over 40 million vaccine doses had been shipped to 119 countries and territories through the COVAX Facility since the first international delivery. Belize's Representative for UNICEF, Alison Parker, emphasised the importance of vaccines, stating, "Belize cannot afford a child health crisis at this time." UNICEF Belize committed to supporting the Belizean government and other partners in strengthening the cold chain and communication campaigns to promote vaccination.

Belize's Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon Michel Chebat

Hon Michel Chebat explained the phased approach to vaccine distribution in Belize, prioritising the most vulnerable, including frontline healthcare and social workers, high-risk individuals, the elderly, and those in the tourism sector. This sector is vital to Belize's economy, which has been hard-hit by the pandemic. Belize has also included tourism workers in the priority groups to receive the vaccine. Belize's tourism industry is significant, boasting attractions such as Mayan ruins, wildlife, and one of the world's longest barrier reefs.

The initial allocation of vaccines for Belize through the COVAX Facility was 100,800 doses, aiming to cover at least 20% of the country's population. The COVAX Facility is a global partnership established by the World Health Organization to ensure fair allocation and equitable access to vaccines, especially for countries with limited resources. Belize's participation in COVAX demonstrates its commitment to protecting its population against Sars-CoV-2 and maintaining low levels of community transmission.

Hon Michel Chebat's leadership in vaccine distribution and his recognition of the importance of vaccination in combating COVID-19 are crucial steps towards Belize's recovery from the pandemic. The collective efforts of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, international organisations, and individuals vaccinated have contributed to the country's progress in managing the public health crisis.

Belize's vaccination priority groups

Belize has received several shipments of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility, a global partnership that includes the World Health Organization, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, United Nations Children's Fund, and the Pan American Health Organization. The COVAX Facility was established to ensure fair allocation and equitable access to vaccines for all countries.

Belize's Ministry of Health & Wellness has highlighted the importance of continuing to reach high-risk priority groups with COVID-19 vaccines, including both primary series and boosters. While specific priority groups have not been explicitly mentioned, the country's vaccination efforts have focused on closing the most urgent immunity gaps and promoting vaccination across all age groups.

In addition to COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC and WHO recommend several other vaccinations for Belize, including:

• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Polio
• Yellow Fever
• Chikungunya
• Rabies
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza
• Pneumonia
• Meningitis
• Chickenpox
• Shingles
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis)
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

Belize's second vaccine shipment

On May 12, 2021, Belize received its second shipment of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility, a global partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The shipment consisted of 33,600 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, adding to the initial allocation of 100,800 doses approved for the country. This second shipment arrived just in time, with Hon Michel Chebat, Belize's Minister of Health and Wellness, noting that it arrived only two days before the administration of the last doses of the current stock.

The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility was established by the World Health Organization to ensure fair allocation and equitable access to vaccines for all countries, especially those with limited resources. Through COVAX, countries are given the opportunity to secure vaccines for at least 20% of their population. Belize negotiated coverage for 30% of its population. Once all participating countries have received enough vaccines to cover 20% of their population, further allocations can be made.

The arrival of the second shipment was welcomed by Belizean health officials as it ensured that those who had received their first doses could receive their second doses without delay. Dr. Noreen Jack, PAHO/WHO Representative of Belize, emphasized that using a platform like COVAX provided fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations for countries like Belize, helping to protect their population against Sars-CoV-2.

The second shipment of vaccines was an important step in Belize's vaccination efforts, allowing the Ministry of Health and Wellness to continue its work in delivering vaccines to those in the distribution phases while maintaining low levels of community transmission. However, until vaccination is widespread among the population, basic public health measures remain crucial in the pandemic response. Health authorities must continue screening, contact tracing, isolation, assisted quarantine, and quality care, while individuals are advised to practice physical distancing, hand hygiene, mask-wearing, adequate ventilation, and avoid crowded spaces.

Belize's initial allocation of vaccines

The second shipment of 33,600 doses arrived on May 12, 2021, bringing the total number of doses received to 67,200. This shipment ensured that those who had received their first doses could receive their second doses without delay. Belize's allocation through the COVAX Facility was negotiated for coverage of 30% of its population, which is higher than the standard 20% coverage offered to participating countries. The COVAX Facility is a global partnership that includes the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The arrival of vaccines in Belize was met with relief and a sense of contribution to containing the negative outcomes associated with COVID-19. Belize's vaccination efforts were supported by various organizations, including the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which provided a US$20 million grant to UNICEF's global work with the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and the COVAX Facility. Additionally, the Church donated US$3 million in 2020 to facilitate UNICEF's urgent COVID-19 response, providing water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

By June 2, 2023, a total of 510,770 vaccine doses had been administered in Belize. The vaccination efforts were complemented by basic public health measures, including screening, contact tracing, isolation, assisted quarantine, and quality care. The public was encouraged to continue practising physical distancing, hand hygiene, mask-wearing, adequate ventilation of indoor environments, and avoiding crowded spaces.

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