COVID-19

New curfew in DR will begin at 9:00 pm, starting on Wednesday

Saturdays and Sundays it will be from 7:00 at night to 5:00 in the morning
The grace of three hours is maintained for people to reach their homes

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … =blueconic
President Luis Abinader issued Decree 133-21 on Monday, by means of which he establishes a new schedule for the curfew as of Wednesday, March 3.

According to the provision, the curfew will begin at 9:00 at night and will extend until 5:00 in the morning from Monday to Friday, with a three-hour grace period for circulation "with the sole objective that people arrive to their homes ”.

While on Saturdays and Sundays it will start at 7:00 at night until 5:00 in the morning, with three hours of grace for circulation.

The new measures will be in effect until Wednesday, March 17 . They were taken, according to one of the recitals, due to the casualties of the COVID-19 cases, which this Monday marked a year since the first infected was registered.

The executive order also establishes that the provisions will be reviewed periodically and they are focused on the economic reactivation of the Dominican Republic and the guarantee of the health of the population.

With this new edict, Decree 107-21, issued on February 18, which established that the curfew ran until March 8, is repealed.

The decree maintains that bars and restaurants, churches, parks and sports venues will open with up to 60% of their capacity.

Here are the vaccination sites for the country

70,000 given in the 1st 2 weeks

https://acento.com.do/actualidad/conozc … 18517.html

I got my vaccine y'day.... Sinovac (China)

Went to a little clinic (listed above) in the country....
No lines, no wait..... out in less than 1/2 hr

One month until dose #2

The main hospital in Cabrera was crowded......
long lines, no distancing - spooked me

Congrats honey!  I don't yet qualify so I am waiting my turn! 

Thanks for sharing.

DR has this well set up. They have ordered plenty of vaccines and have the places where you get vaccinated publicised. Several close to me in small clinics. You can book appointments too.

They plan to have all 70 plus vaccinated in two weeks and then over 60's next.

The aim is 80% of the population vaccinated by the end of May which would be some achievement.

It appears that all these vaccines prevent serious infection.

A very worrying concern is Brazil now with the mess they are in managing the virus which could provide a breeding ground for more serious mutations and worse then the current Brazil variant.

Brazil's Covid outbreak is global threat that opens door to lethal variants – scientist

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ … -nicolelis

Darlene!  Thought you were avoiding the Chinese & Russian doses!

GCL I am,  so I will wait!    I do not want chinese or russian vaccines.

AGREE!  We are getting them in Canada

From the lack of transparency  I just dont trust those two.  They may be  just as good,  I just dont know.

I'm also not going to have a Chinese or Russian vaccine shot.

Just plain NOT.

There is reliable information coming out about the efficacy of the Chinese vaccines which suggest good levels of protection and 100% against serious infection. Actual figures from Turkey and the Middle East. The figures from Brazil are less good but the Brazil and South African variants have reduced efficiacy on all vaccines and booster shots from all vaccine makers will be needed when the develop to deal with mutations.

The Russian vaccine looks to be on par with Pfizer and Moderna for effiacy.

The simple reality is that the whole world needs to get vaccinated asap and the politicisation of vaccines is exactly what is not needed. Bravo to China and Russia making their effective vaccines available to the less well off countries now! China is providing huge quantities worldwide whilst it lags with its own population.

Bravo to Willie Web for getting vaccinated with that which was available. The efficiacy of the Chinese vaccine and effect on serious illness was more than enough reason to take the jab.

I have posted here before that I have long term concerns on the RNA modified vaccines so my preference is not to have the Sputnik, Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines. It will take years to understand if there are any long term effects.

But here like the UK there is no pick and choose your vaccine. State bought and you get what they give you. So my advice is put your political leanings and worries to one side and think worldly after first being a responsible DR resident.

When your turn comes get the jab, whatever it is!

Wow.  So I have been reprimanded. 

Until I read info on the vaccine available I will not be putting it in my body!  Info on chinese and russian vaccines had not been readily available.  Until it is no one will make me take it.  I will read and I will decide.

If that info is available. I will absolutely read it.  That is not political.  That is me looking out for me.

I'm with planner on this one.

I agree!  Respect the rights of intelligent people.  The DR government has not been the most prudent about the virus.  From day one, the world knows that all they want is the yankee $$$$’s.

There is a high probability thet API's (active pharmacuetical ingredients) used in making the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have come from a country such as China or India.

China make 40% of the world API's and when you add India that is more like 75% to 80% of the total.

When asked both Pfizer and Moderna refused to disclose their supply chains. Ask yourself why?

So you have no choice which vaccine you get in DR and the odds on getting the Pfizer jab is maybe 20%, other wise Astra Zeneca of the two Chinese jabs. And if you get the Pfizer jab you can speculate where the ingredients came from and hope that there are no long term side effects with the new RNA vaccines.

What is the point worrying over so many possibilities when a jab will almost certainly stop serious infection and the odds on infection are very low too. Better still if we all go and get a jab the virus will be suppressed in DR and life will get better here.

Latest soundings suggest 90% of the population will want to get vaccinated here.

Jim, get vaccinated in the USA is my advice before settling here if you are so concerned.

gcl1221 wrote:

I agree!  Respect the rights of intelligent people.  The DR government has not been the most prudent about the virus.  From day one, the world knows that all they want is the yankee $$$$’s.

How come?

They were one of the quickest to sign up with Astra Zeneca to provide 70% of the countries needs. They signed up before the EU and the cost is less then $3 a shot. They didn't order Modernas jab because it is so very expensive.

They added Pfizer jabs and because of the slow delivery of AZ and Pfizer they went to the market and secured Sinovac and Sinopharm jabs to get the national programme underway. They are paying as much for the Chinese vaccines as they are for Pfizer.

The world population needs vaccines now and there will be multiple suppliers for most countries bought by that country and given in most cases free. As an expat in DR you know they have a good distribution plan for easily stored vaccines and they ordered have more than enough for the whole population. The odds on getting a Pfizer jab..when it arrives...will be probably be best in major hospitals where storage at low temperatures is better.

It's not about where anything comes from.  I trust experts who tell me it's good.  I have not seen the experts I trust say I can trust Chinese or russian vaccines.  Why is that I wonder????

Until  that is answered I will wait.  Period.  And no bullying will make me do otherwise.

It's all about transparency.

Yes Lennox,
that is the current medical advice - because of the basic equality of all the vaccines, we are encouraged by the medical community to take whichever vaccine is first offered.

What we're seeing here - an in depth discussion about which type of vaccine - has morphed from the initial conversation of whether or not to be vaccinated.
From the debate about whether ANY vaccine was worthwhile, we are now focused on which one to seek.

This has been reported at length in the news.
As for Sinovac - there is plenty of supporting info available.
After the 2 doses it is 100% effective against contracting severe CV19.

Those want to proceed thru this - unprotected - are free to do so.....obviously

But doing so helps neither that person nor the road to recovery

I will be vaccinated when a vaccine is available that is approved by the people I trust. 

Stop with the passive aggressive comments.

I have spent hours and hours (as others have) promoting information for the public good. I have followed the recommendations and the orders.  I follow the science. 

There is a reason the chinese vaccine is not being used in the USA.  Until I am confidant on why I am not taking it.  Others clearly feel the way I do.  Now kindly take a step back.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sinovac- … 00112.html

Planner
Don't take offense..... you are not the ONLY one who feels like you do.
There are many, many more........

One of the things people like about Sinovac is that it's made the old fashioned way.

The way vaccines have been made for decades..... tried & true

Simple.

We are an expat community living in DR.

The DR government has approved AZ, Pfizer, the AZ made in India, Sinovac and Sinopharm and is giving vaccination free to citizens and legal residents at zero cost at locations throughout the country. But you take what you get.

Any expat who finds this unacceptable, has the option to pass on the government programme and if they so wish can make arrangements to return to their own country if they can get the vaccine they prefer there.

Thank you willie for the link I will read it. Actual information is always welcome.

Lennox - really!!!  So because this govt accepts it for free and is giving it out that is good enough for you and therefore should be good enough for everyone!  Get off your soapbox on this one!   When people I actually trust  say it's acceptable then and only then will it go on my list.

For the record THIS is and had been my home for close to 18 years.  Don't suggest I should go home for a vaccine!   You are being judgemental!

I will be stepping out of this thread.

There is enough data out there for many governments around the world giving reason to approve Sinovac including DR.

The DR government has reserved 8 million more doses.

It is as good as Astra Zeneca based upon the data available available. And AZ with Sinovac will be in large part the options for us in DR because Pfizer are having supply problems and will be limited for use in DR because of transportation and storage requirements. Sinopharm is a reserve option with emergency importation licences only at this time. And only the government by law can import and vaccinate at this time so there is no private option currently available.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30987-7/fulltext

Turkish study revises down Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine efficacy to 83.5%

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-heal … AV13A?il=0

He added that the vaccine prevented hospitalisation and severe illness in 100% of cases, saying the six people who were hospitalised were all in the placebo group.

I hope you keep reading it

Turkish Trials Show China's Sinovac Shot to Be 83.5% Effective​
www.bloomberg.com › news › articles › turkish-trials-s...

2 days ago — The CoronaVac shot made by Sinovac Biotech Ltd. was 100% effective in preventing hospitalization, according to the Phase 3 trials by the ...

WW, you are our expat.com Sinovac 'guinea pig'.

Oink Oink

I have not read ONE discouraging article on it

I and 4 friends had it..... Wife going on the weekend

More
there is so much info on this available.........how anyone could miss it.....

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/202 … ccine.html

Here's an interesting article on receiving the vaccine..... the emotional reaction to it.

Normal problems , we can just push back in our minds sometimes..... will them away
Not so with this one !
You are reminded every time you must put on a mask, wash your hands, etc
It's omnipresent.......

I had a giddy feeling after getting the shot-
either from relief after finally doing something concrete & positive to help my self
or from beating the system by finding a 'quick fix' to get the vaccine.

That giddiness is explained in this article-


https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/02/opin … ccine.html

The vaccination programme is progressing well with Sinovac and AZ from India. The next large batch arriving - 2 million doses is Sinovac only and this should take the country through Phase 1 and into Phase 2 ahead of the declared schedule on the vaccine portal but more in line with what the President stated.

https://vacunate.gob.do/

Government expects two million (more) vaccines before the end of March

On March 15, a million vaccines would enter the country; the other million will arrive on March 25

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … FI24864100

The Ministry of Public Health clarified that they still have enough vaccines to continue the inoculation days in the country, meanwhile the second dose is guaranteed for those who correspond to the 28 days of their first vaccination.

“There are vaccines and those who turn 28 days, which are not yet in that time, are reserved for those who turn 28 days. So see that we still have enough, ”said Health Minister Daniel Rivera.

According to the indications of each vaccine, people who received the Sinovac, from China, should be re-inoculated in 28 days, while those who were vaccinated with the AstraZenca, from India, between eight and twelve weeks.

The minister reiterated that on March 15 the country will receive one million more vaccines and another 25 million. They are all Sinovac, coming from China.

"Remember to be aware that between April and May the large items that were purchased for more than eight million dollars will arrive," he said.

The minister assured that the inclusion of those accompanying those over eighty years of age in the vaccination process does not alter the schedule, since the number of elderly people in that age range is not so great.

Rivera explained that the action was carried out as a measure to motivate no older adult to go without their vaccine.

"We are needing that they take us to the elderly," said Rivera.

This Monday, adults 68 years and older will also be inoculated.

The minister pointed out that for those who cannot attend the centers because they have some physical difficulty, after scheduling an appointment, a team made up of a person from the Civil Defense, one from the armed forces and a doctor assists them at home.

In this sense, the minister invited the population not to be fooled by unscrupulous people who pose as Health personnel to commit misdeeds, since all the Public Health team is well identified, and for these visits a prior appointment is required and at the moment it is only done with people with disabilities.

On the other hand, he assured that the personnel who vaccinate people who are not in the phase will be reprimanded and may be removed from the institution.

Most contagious and deadly strains are in the country

An investigation carried out by the Institute of Tropical Medicine & Global Health of the Ibero-American University (UNIBE) found that the British and Brazilian variants of the coronavirus have been here since November.

https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2 … en-el-pais

The new variants of the Covid-19 virus reported for the first time in the United Kingdom at the end of 2020, and the one associated with local circulation in Brazil, are found in the Dominican Republic with community transmission and were identified in samples taken in November of last year .

The finding was made by the team of researchers from the Institute of Tropical Medicine & Global Health of the Ibero-American University (UNIBE) in samples taken in November of last year in patients who had tested positive for Covid-19, identifying the presence of these variants of the SARSCoV-2 circulating in a community manner in the Dominican Republic.

Positive cases of the UK variant have no history of having been abroad recently and could be identified in the National District and the province of Santo Domingo.

The details of the finding were offered to Listín Diario by Dr. Robert Paulino Ramírez, researcher and director of the Institute of Tropical Medicine & Global Health of the Ibero-American University (UNIBE), when participating as a guest in the "Appointment with the Covid" transmitted by each Monday at 9:00 pm Listindiario.com, under the leadership of its director Miguel Franjul and journalist Doris Pantaleón..........


For those that have taken the Sinovac jab.....

Exclusive: Study in Brazil indicates Sinovac vaccine works against P1 variant found in Brazil - source

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-heal … SKBN2B023U

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Preliminary data from a study in Brazil indicates that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd is effective against the P1 variant of the virus first discovered in Brazil, a source familiar with the study told Reuters on Monday.

The source, who did not provide data details, said the study had tested the blood of vaccinated people against the Brazilian variant of the virus. Coronavac, as the Sinovac shot is known, is the main vaccine currently being used to inoculate people in Brazil.

Had my first dose of Sinovac this afternoon in Cevicos. Only person there. Registered, got vaccinated - didn't feel a thing - and sat for 15 minutes as is procedure. Efficient. 6th April appointment for second dose.

Just curious how they are handling documentation - do you get a card showing you had it or in system etc?

Yes, you get a card...... they will record both doses there

I expect it goes into the system..... the cedula number

As WW says you get a MOH VacunateRD 'Tareja de Vacunacion Covid19' with your name, age, ID(cedula), date of dose, type of dose, lot and vaccination centre. There is space for the second dose and the name of the person vaccinating you and the date of your second appointment. There is also information given to the patient on the card detailing possible side effects and important information...take both doses and continue with sanitary measures.

You also register where the nurse fills in a page listing all the vaccinations that day with a line for your information and this goes to the MoH for records.

Considering the large number of vaccination centres around the country and the information being made avaiable to the pubic and the efficiency of service, this is well organised.

Getting the current age group from the campo to the medical centres needs addressing. It appears I am the first to be vaccinated from my village - there was some trepidation - but now they want to go having seen an expat go, and I will provide transport to the clinic which is about 20 minutes drive away. I think this is an area where expats can help remote poplulations.

No side effects here so far. Zero soreness at jab site.

Next batch of vaccines could arrive between March 17 and 18

He argued that at this time the country has 450 thousand vaccines

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … JO24916870

The Minister of Public Health, Daniel Rivera, said that the arrival of the next batch of vaccines could be between March 17 and 18.

“So far we have announced that two batches will reach us that make a total of two million. One more or less, March 17 or 18 and the other from March 25, to 26 or 27. Depending on the air freight, we have the departure of two million ”, he indicated.

He argued that at this time the country has 450,000 vaccines, so the youngest should allow the older ones to get vaccinated first.

In an interview on the Telesistema program El Día , Rivera said that as more vaccines arrive, those with lower age ranges will be inoculated.

"Immediately the vaccines arrive, we go down to 60 years ... if the vaccines arrive as established between March 17, 18 or 19 depending on air freight and the other, a million more, will depend on the days of the March 26, 27 and 28 ”, he indicated.

Government begins to vaccinate people of 68 and 69 years and opens phase 1D of the vaccination plan

People with comorbidity can be vaccinated if they present a doctor's note
The official said that to date 548,783 people have been vaccinated and that the Dominican Republic is the second country in Latin America in immunization.

“The Covax (AZ Indian made) has fallen a little behind as well. We are expecting some 435 thousand vaccines for this segment of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), ”he said.

As to the phases -
I thin k it greatly depends on the local circumstances - the number of vaccinations given
and how many remain to be jabbed in that age bracket.

My rural clinic has been doing 60's for days now
Another near me was saying 'No' to 60's initially for a few days and now says 'Yes'

It really is a local/on site decision based on current circumstances..... IMO

Government contemplates leaving curfew as is

Vice President Raquel Peña said that they have discussed it, but it may vary according to the contagion curve

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/ … DK24951354

The Government plans to leave the current curfew in operation for now , which contemplates a more flexible schedule than the previous ones, said the Vice President of the Republic and coordinator of the Health Cabinet, Raquel Peña, on Thursday.

The official said, at a press conference on the behavior of COVID-19 in the country, that the restrictive measure will always depend on the behavior of the disease in the population, "on the contagion curve."

The current curfew, which began on Wednesday March 3, was ordered by the Government through decree 133-21 dated one of the same month and which ends on Wednesday 17.

This suggests the same through Easter?

Germany, France, Italy Latest To Suspend AstraZeneca Jab As "European Nightmare" Worsens

Update (1045ET): Despite insistence from AstraZeneca, the WHO and other entities that the AstraZeneca jab is safe and that there's no evidence linking vaccines to dangerous blood clots observed in dozens of patients, Germany has just joined the growing list of countries that have suspended vaccinations using the AZ jab.

https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/astr … t-ban-jabs