The Premier overcame his fear of needles last night to get his second and last Covid-19 vaccine jab.

David Burt said that everyone had a responsibility to get protection from the virus if they were able to.

Mr Burt said that, vaccination was an individual choice, but the decision had consequences that affected everyone.

Mr Burt appeared nervous as he waited to be given the Pfizer-BioNTech injection and put his head in his hands and battled to control his breathing.

He admitted: “This is a whole stress exercise for me.”

Mr Burt said afterwards: “I am not a huge fan of needles, but I am a firm believer in the safety and effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine.

“Vaccinations are the most reliable way we can protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community.

“I ask all residents who are now scheduled to get their second injection to please attend your given appointment.

“I cannot emphasise how important it is that we all get vaccinated when it is available for us to do so.”

Mr Burt said that Government had tackled “vaccine hesitancy” in the Black community.

He added: “The best way to do it is by leading by example and to tell the story about vaccine acceptance and why it’s important.”

Mr Burt said that the number of Black people who had registered to get vaccinated had increased.

He added that Bermuda had made “substantial progress” in containment of the coronavirus virus and active cases had declined.

But he said it was essential that restrictions remained in force until herd immunity had been achieved.

Mr Burt added: “The pandemic’s effect on our economy and the social fabric of our islands will only come to an end when enough people have taken both doses of the vaccine and interrupted the virus’s spread.

“This can only be done with continued co-operation of residents. Individual acts have a community effect.”

“Our target is to keep the cases at an absolute minimum, and learn the lessons of the last time

“What we want to make sure of is when we start back up, there are no more stops and that means that means we have to have effective community surveillance.”