Earlier this year, the British overseas territory of Gibraltar experienced the horrors the Virgin Islands is presently experiencing with the pandemic.
Gibraltar — whose population of about 34,000 is similar to the VI’s — recorded 4,724 cases and 94 deaths due to Covid-19, and a surge in infections that led to a second lockdown.
However, the reception to vaccination was different to what has been the VI experience.
Three months after Gibraltar went into a second lockdown, more than 90 percent of residents had received a first dose of vaccine. Most are now receiving the second dose.
The result of the Gibraltar vaccine effort has been simply astonishing. The territory is reopening, and it is now one of the most vaccinated places in the world.
Gibraltar is also one of the safest places on earth, having gone through the various stages of the pandemic from surge to lockdown.
The territory known as The Rock has come out the other side vaccinated, with a huge drop in infections and deaths.
Gibraltar is a tiny place and densely populated. Had there been no vaccine effort, the death rate would have been astronomical.
When Gibraltar was in a bad place like the VI is today, vaccines, a receptive attitude to vaccine, and a ramped-up vaccination effort saved it from worse disaster.
Now, Gibraltar is back to normal. Its hospital is free of Covid patients.
Hopefully the VI will learn something from Gibraltar.
Connect with Mr. Igwe on Facebook and Twitter.